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FROM   THE  LIBRARY   OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D, 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


edl. 


xAfrr-  -z*,!???-. 


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MEDITATIONS   IN  YERSE  FOR   THE 
SUNDAYS   OF  A  YEAR. 

BY      W.       /VlORLEY      j^UNSHON,      JA.fl, 


H  c  to    §  o  r  h  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PORTER, 

200     MULBERR  Y-S  T  R  E  E  T. 

1868. 


J 


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PREFACE 


I 
1 


/.¥j|jl|^0  those  whose  "heart  is  as  my  heart"  I 
y<>?pp)  offer  this  little  volume,  the  offspring  of  a 
year's  enforced  pause  amid  the  activities  of 
a  busy  ministry.  I  covet  for  it,  chiefly,  three 
successes :  that,  if  God  wills,  it  may  be  a  messenger 
of  mercy  to  the  wandering;  that  it  may  be  a 
comforter  to  the  troubled ;  and  that  it  may  be  a 
memory  of  the  writer  to  many  friends. 

W.  M.  P. 

Redland,  February,  1867. 


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CONTENTS 


I 

I 

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Page 

Advent 11 

Epiphany 25 

Faith,  (Septuagesima) 43 

Hope,  (Sexagesima) 46 

Love,  ( Quinquagesima) 49 

Lent 53 

Easter 70 

Whitsuntide 91 

Trinity 94 

Sabbath  Morning 189 

Sabbath  Evening 192 

Christmas  Day 197 

Good  Friday , 200 


8  CONTENTS. 

Page 

Ascension  Day 203 

Baptism 20  <f 

The  Lord's  Supper 210 

Matrimony 215 

Burial  of  the  Dead 218 


*?       *.  "    «ar 


pm^ 


=*?      .    - 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


J^dveat, 


i. 


Tiie  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the  -wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
make  straight  in  the  desert  a  highway  for  our  God. — Isaiah  xl,  3. 

o-fva »  3ITH  lightnings  belted,  cloud  and  tempests  broke 
On  Sinai's  sacred  crest, 
[jyjJJ     When  God  before  affrighted  Israel  spoke 
His  high  behest. 


In  the  cleft  rock  the  cow'ring  Prophet  gazed 
Upon  the  God  unknown, 
While,  round  the  Awful  Form,  such  brightness  blazed 
As  girds  the  throne. 


By  many  a  gleam  throughout  the  dazzled  dark 

He  shamed  his  people's  fear 
And  Seers  in  desert  visions  bade  us  mark 
His  Presence  near. 


. 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 

Still  speak  the  voices,  not  with  accents  stern 

Nor  boding  words  of  wrath, 
As  when  the  fiery  cross  is  wont  to  burn 

Through  glen  or  strath. 

When  pelts  the  frightened  hail  upon  the  panes, 
Stern  Winter  rules  as  king : 
The  sweet-breathed  zephyrs  and  the  gentler  rains 
Herald  the  Spring. 


Though  from  the  wilderness  the  summons  swells, 
"  For  God  the  way  prepare," 
The  spirit  of  a  milder  Advent  dwells 

Within  its  prayer. 


Straight  to  our  hearts  it  reaches,  'mid  the  throngs 

Of  thoughts  which  come  and  go, 
As  on  dull  ears  of  age  a  mother's  songs 

Sound  clear  and  low. 

It  beats  upon  the  spirit  with  a  sense 

Of  softest,  holiest  calm  ; 
A  fragrant  soul-myrrh ; — a  kind  influence 
Of  healing  balm. 

He  comes  !  the  Saviour  !  haste  to  make  him  room  ! 
Speed  with  your  contrite  vows  ! 
Wear  all  the  jewels  !  scatter  the  perfume  ! — 
As  fits  a  spouse. 


*     "v^S 


i 
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I 
I 


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SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Prepare  his  way !  no  wasteful  thoughts  and  rude, 

No  dalliance  with  sin, 
Must  greet  his  march,  nor  on  his  sight  intrude 
When  he  comes  in. 

When  he  is  nigh,  no  lion-lust  must  walk 

Over  the  swarded  green ; 
No  ravening  beasts  through  trampled  pastures  stalk 
In  rage  unclean. 

The  way  is  called  holy.     All  is  still, 

And  pure,  and  heavenly  bright, 
As  the  sweet  rose-hearts,  which  the  dew-drops  fill 
On  summer's  night. 


13 


Where  quiet  ones  in  thoughtful  moments  stray 

He  lingers  by  their  side, 
Flings  a  rare  charm  on  their  Emmaus-way, 
And  loves  to  'bide. 

In  upper  rooms,  where  tarry  earnest  souls, 

He  passes  through  shut  doors 
And  heaven  comes  floating  in  as  morning  rolls 
On  golden  floors. 


O  Advent  blessed  !  Lord  !  we  wait  for  this 

In  hush  of  watching  love  ; 
Wait  in  thy  temple  ;  wait,  to  prove  the  bliss 
All  bliss  above. 


f^H 


14  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Come  to  thine  own  !  come  to  thy  "wishful  bride  ! 
Shed  thy  pure  love  abroad, 
And  each  heart  shall  become  a  clean  and  wide 
"  Highway  for  God." 


^1 


sm 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


^dtrexrt. 


ii. 


Every  man's  work  shall  be  made  manifest:  for  the  day  shall  declare  it, 
because  it  shall  be  revealed  by  fire ;  and  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's 
work  of  what  sort  it  is. — 1  Cokinthiaxs  iii,  13. 


Y  trifles,  in  our  common  ways. 
Our  characters  are  slowly  piled : 

We  lose  not  all  our  yesterdays  ; 
The  man  hath  something  of  the  child 
Part  of  the  Past  to  all  the  Present  cleaves, 
As  the  rose-odors  linger,  e'en  in  fading  leaves. 


The  habits  of  each  wayward  hour 

Increase  by  their  indulgence  gain, 
Till  we  are  slaves  beneath  their  power ; 
Yet  all  unconscious  of  our  chain  ; 
And  to  our  fancied  independence  cling, 
As  birds  which,  in  their  cage,  the  songs  of  Freedom  sing. 


t 


Never  did  flood  sweep  through  the  vale 

Without  some  ravage  left  behind  ; 
Some  wreck  to  turn  a  young  face  pale ; 
Some  household  comfort  undermined  : 
So  hath  each  moment,  used  or  wasted,  left 
To  all  an  added  grace,  or  of  some  charm  bereft. 


—  ■■  -  ^' 


>ABBATH    C  HI  ME  & 

As  when  the  ancient  Temple  rose. 

In  silence  must  the  work  be  done  ; 
As  light  upon  the  morning  flows, 
(The  bright  dower  of  the  silent  Bun,  | 
'  So  heedless  men  their  busy  tasks  have  plied. 
Nor  known  what  palaces  were  rising  by  their  side. 


In  ceaseless  toil,  from  year  to  year. 

"Working  with  loath  or  willing  hands. 
Stone  upon  stone  we  shape  and  rear. 
Till  the  completed  fabric  stands  : 
And.  when  the  last  hash  hath  all  labor  stilled, 
The  searchino-  fire  will  try  what  we  have  striven  to  build. 


Or  firm  in  its  abiding  strength. 

Or  starting  from  th'  unstable  sand. 
••  The  day  "  shall  manifest  at  length 

Each  cimning  thought  in  secret  planned  : 
And  woe  to  that  which  will  not  bear  assay 
When  bums  the  testing  flame,  when  breaks  th'  avenging 
dav  ! 


Full  oft.  in  some  unhappy  ni^ht. 

The  fire  hath  wrapt  around  a  house 
Where  Care  had  hid  his  griefs  from  sight. 
And  slumber  stole  o'er  aching  brows, 
And  startled  sleepers,  'mid  the  fiery  strife. 
Are  rudely  roused  frorn  dreams,  and  battle  for  dear  life : 


^  =«HN-  &4r> 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 

Then  all  that  darkness  had  concealed 

Is  by  the  ghastly  dawn  declared ; 

And  in  that  sick'ning  light  revealed, 

No  household  mystery  is  spared  ; 

There  was  no  time  to  alter — 'mid  the  blaze ; 

Just  as  they  were,  they  met  the  stranger's  curious  gaze. 


17 


And  is  it  to  be  so  at  last  ? 

All  our  life-work  disclosed  and  tried  ! 
In  memory  of  the  faithless  past 
Who  may  the  stern  assize  abide  ? 
Those  who,  on  Sion's  sure  foundation  old, 
"  Build  "  steadfast,  day  by  day,  the  ''  silver  "  and  the  "  gold." 


IS  SABBATH     CHIME  8. 

hi. 

Art  thou  he  that  should  come,  or  do  we  look  for  another  ?— Matthew  xi,  3. 

•-'•-  OWN  the  dark  vale  of  time  full  many  a  glance, 
From  her  retirement  lone, 


£*.  Student  of  psalmist's  song,  or  prophet's  trance  ; 
pieek  watcher  through  the  ages  ;)  to  descry 
The  Shiloh  pledged  of  old,  and  hail  his  advent  nigh. 

"  Lo  here  !  lo  there  !  "  on  the  bewildered  sense 

The  haughty  trumpets  peal ; 

The  false  Messiahs  steal 
Weak  hearts  away  on  shallowest  pretense, 
In  new  revolts  to  place  their  fruitless  trust, 
Be  lured  where  danger  frowns,  then  left  to  shame  and  dust. 


Let  a  frail  reed  be  shaken  by  the  wind, 

And  curious  feet  will  press 

Into  the  wilderness, 
Haply  the  long-expected  Seer  to  find, 
Whose  day  the  Patriarch,  through  long  years  discerned. 
At  whose  name  old  men  leaped,  and  holy  matrons  yearned. 


-*# 


SABBATH    C  HI  ME  S. 

Through  baffled  hope  lives  ou  the  unquenched  desire ; 
And  as  the  hopeful  bees 
Keep  murmuring  to  the  breeze 
Prophetic  whispers  of  gay  summers  nigher, 
So,  though  rebuked  full  oft,  men  waited  still, 
Till  Sions  conquering  Lord  should  stand  on  Sion's  hill. 


Not  with  the  meteors  flash,  but  as  the  light, 
TThich,  on  the  still  world  rolled,* 
Breaks  to  a  morn  of  gold, 

But  in  its  noiseless  march  no  infant's  night 

Is  rudely  ended.  He  by  Jordan  trod ; 
And  the  brave  herald  saw,  and  owned  the  "  Lamb  of  God." 


w- 


Yet  in  men's  wondering  hearts  doubts  rose  and  grew. 
Obscure,  despised,  forlorn, 
A  mark  for  scowl  and  scorn  • 

Yet  steadfast  as  a  star.     Can  He  be  true  ? 

Then,  like  a  bright  stream  struggling  to  be  free, 
Forth  flashed  the  eager  question,  k'  Tell  us,  art  thou  He 


E'en  yet  the  false  Christs,  'mid  the  multitude 

Of  suitors  with  bold  brows 

Who  come  to  woo  the  Spouse, 
Upon  her  constancy  of  love  intrude ; 
And  fain  would  breathe  suspicion  on  her  troth, 
And  leave  her,  like  themselves,  false  to  her  word  and  oath. 


w^^Uk^U 


But  thou,  O  Lord  !  wilt  stoop  to  us  infirm  ; 
Love  to  resolve  our  doubt, 
And  bring  us  gladly  out 
Of  our  soul's  prison ;  as  from  some  dark  germ 
The  sweet  rose  crimsons ;  till,  all  doubt  at  rest, 
We  lie,  like  the  Beloved,  enraptured  on  thy  breast. 


"We  too  have  mourned,  because  our  carnal  dream 
Of  pomp  and  courtly  state, 
And  guards  at  palace  gate- 
Base  lights  of  earthly  kingdoms — did  not  gleam 
Thy  face  around  when  thou  didst  come  to  reign ; 
But  that  thy  crown  was  thorn — thy  kingly  tribute,  pain. 


Like  the  stern  priests  and  scribes  who  made  thee  grieve, 

We  could  not  bear  thy  loss. 

"  But  come  down  from  the  cross, 
And  our  swift  souls  will  hasten  to  believe.1' 
O  tear  this  Jewish  traitor  from  within  ! 
O  cast  it  from  our  hearts — this  shame  of  earthly  sin ! 


Bid  us  be  of  the  malefactor  taught — 
The  felon  by  thy  side, 
Who  longed  "  with  thee  "  to  abide 

In  that  new  heaven  just  opened  to  his  thought ; 

And  saw,  while  e'en  disciples'  eyes  waxed  dim, 
The  royal  hosts  of  God — the  prostrate  Seraphim. 


^#^#^k; 


*       SABBATH  CHIMES.  21 

Still  is  our  faith  assured  by  thousand  signs ; 

The  blind  are  beauty's  heirs ; 

And  from  demoniac  lairs 
Sound  strange  hosannas.     E'en  the  dark  grave  shines 
With  heaven-light  streaming  through  it  at  both  ends — 
A  sepulcher  disused,  and  tenantless  of  friends. 


'Mid  the  world's  strife  of  tongues  to  thee  we  cling. 

We  cease  our  endless  quest 

For  other  than  the  best : 
Thou  art  our  Prophet,  thou  our  Priest  and  King ! 
Here  will  we  give  our  home-sick  longings  o'er, 
For  Thou  hast  come ;  our  love,  our  avarice  ask  no  more. 


-.---■ 


$=* 


SABBATH  CHIMES.       * 


Jtttamii 


IV. 

Let  your  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men.    The  Lord  is  at  hand.     Be 
careful  for  nothing. — PniLippiAXS  iv,  4.  5. 


**^^L¥*    SPEAK  not  thus  to  hearts  all  palpitating 
In  changeful  agonies  of  sad  suspense  ; 
%  Which  hope  and  dread  by  turns  ;  the  days  awaiting 
With  a  numb,  weary  sense  : 


When  all  the  glory  from  the  heaven  is  vanished, 

As  fantasies  of  sleep  before  the  dawn  ; 
While  the  poor  hope,  like  exile  newly  banished. 
Yet  lingers — homeward  drawn  : 


When,  all  the  rapture  of  the  summer  over. 

The  flowers  are  withered  in  each  woodland  haunt, 
And  not  a  lark,  from  out  the  tufted  clover, 
Has  heart  enough  to  chant : 


When  on  the  wall  the  shadows  gather  blanker, 

While  hopeless  illness  wastes,  or  madness  raves  ; 
When  the  o'er-freighted  bark,  without  an  anchor, 
Drifts  on  the  scoffing  waves  : 


S  ABB  ATE   CHIMES. 

When  all  the  store  of  love,  so  closely  cherished, 
By  tyrant  hand  is  snatched  from  the  embrace  ; 
And  all  the  light  of  the  rich  past  has  perished 
Out  of  the  dumb  white  face  : 


23 


h 


When  the  struck  souls  lie  prostrate  with  repining, 

And  look  defiant  on  the  happy  sun, 
"Which  shines  so  bright,  they  almost  grudge  his  shining 
And  wish  the  day  were  done  : 

When  stern  fate  bids  the  heart  live  on,  though  breaking 

As  palsy  never  lifted  from  the  limbs, 
Or,  o'er  a  dead  child,  some  crazed  mother  making 
Rude  melodies  of  hymns  : 

O  heap  not  on  these  inner  fires  the  fuel, 

Nor  tempt  the  loud  rebellions  you  condemn  ! 
Grant  them  at  least  your  silence.     It  were  cruel 
To  speak  of  peace  to  them. 


Yet  the  words  change  not.     "  Be  for  nothing  careful, 

Neither  for  present  want  nor  future  dread ; 
But  while  Christ  tarrieth,  let  your  spirits  prayerful 
Keep  listening  for  his  tread." 

Solemn  they  sound ;  like  angels  of  compassion 

To  this  low  world  on  some  loved  errand  bent ; 
And  yet  not  angels,  but  in  some  strange  fashion 
With  human  natures  blent. 


j^M^#^-  -^-^^^^^^^^^ 


24- 


SABBATH  CIIIMES. 


They  bid  us  not  rebel,  in  foulest  treason 

To  every  earthly  faculty  and  faith ; 
They  meet  our  souls  in  truce,  and  furnish  reason 
For  all  the  Scripture  saith. 

"  The  Lord  at  hand !  "  then  why  should  we  surrender 

To  any  meaner  claim  our  spirits'  keys  \ 
Or,  faithless  warders,  open  to  pretender 

TVliat  valor  ne'er  could  seize  ? 


Why,  in  our  care-worn  souls,  should  pulses  riot 

With  passion  frenzied,  or  with  joy  elate, 
When  from  God's  calming  presence  breathes  a  quiet 
Upon  the  heart  and  state  ? 


0  what  are  these,  our  bitterest  self-denials, 

The  griefs  that  make  our  roses  drop  so  soon, 
But  God  his  children  leading,  through  night's  trials, 
To  an  eternal  noon  ! 


Then  hush,  ye  passionate  voices  !  all-sustaining 

Is  the  great  comfort  of  our  coming  Lord  ; 
Already  is  the  long  sad  midnight  waning, 

For  we  can  trust  his  word. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


ZQ 


Epiplxamj* 


i. 


They   stoned  Stephen,  calling  upon    God,  and  saying,  Lord  Jesus,    receive 
my  spirit. — Acts  vii,  59. 


1 IEY  cast  him  forth,  fierce  in  their  rage  and  hate. 


Outside  the  city  gate  ; 
TVhile  from  his  angel-face  a  luster  streamed 

So  bright,  so  pure,  it  seemed 
As  if  already  heaven  had  let  down 

Her  child's  awaiting  crown. 


v- 


He,  of  the  martyrs'  host  the  eldest  born, 

Reckless  of  earth's  poor  scorn, 

Wise  by  the  faith  of  many  ripening  years 
Above  his  wisest  peers, 

Through  the  dark  vail  of  flesh  the  Godhead  knew. 
And  died  to  prove  him  true. 

As  when  wild  clouds,  struck  by  the  lightning's  brand. 

Deluge  the  frightened  land. 
So  fell  man's  deadlier  shower,  more  prompt  to  kill ; 

Slave  of  more  cruel  will  : 
Soon  on  the  ground  a  battered  casket  lay  : 

The  gem  had  'scaped  away. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

They  gazed  upon  the  ruins  of  a  prison, 

From  which  a  man  had  risen ; 

And,  like  a  sunrise  on  a  dying  storm, 

Came  many  an  angel  form, 

And  sang,  amid  a  silence  rapt  and  deep, 

"  He  gives  his  loved  ones  sleep." 


... 


Whence  was  the  goodly  strength  upon  him  poured 
But  from  his  visioned  Lord? 

Swift,  or  to  chide  the  wavering,  or  the  o'erfraught 
To  win  to  brighter  thought, 

Seen  by  a  faith  which  nothing  could  estrange, 

Through  all  life's  curves  of  change. 


I 


Who  look  on  Christ  into  his  image  grow, 
Burn  with  diviner  glow, 

Wrestle  intrepid  in  the  spirit's  strife, 

.  And  gather  strength  for  life ; 

As  troops  are  brave  to  scale  the  fire-swept  hill 
By  dint  of  daily  drill. 


We  crave  thy  likeness,  Lord  !  our  upward  eyes 
Would  fain  to  thee  arise ; 

Leave  each  fair  pageant,  each  unholy  shrine, 
And,  fastened  all  on  thine, 

Transformed  by  the  blest  gaze,  aspire  to  stand 
"  Faultless  "  at  thy  right  hand. 


I 


•=^#^ 


S  ABB  A  Til    CHI  ME  S. 

Though  in  their  baffled  rage  the  heathen  groan, 
Christ  sits  upon  the  throne. 

To  crush  his  foes,  to  screen  his  own  from  ill, 
Kingly,  he  sitteth  still ; 

"  Expecting,1'  not  impatient,  till  the  chime 

Shall  sound  the  last  of  Time. 


£7 


m? 


But,  when  from  murd'rous  hands  the  martyrs  break. 
He  rises — for  their  sake  ; 

lie  whom  no  shock  of  battled  worlds  could  move. 
In  recompensing  love, 

Rises,  to  give,  whene'er  his  Stephens  come, 

Their  warmest  welcome  home. 


2$ 


VA^^IPfl/ 


H^^&^^^^^N? 


S ABBA  Til    CHIMES. 


Epiphamj;, 


ii. 


A  little  leaven  leaveoeth  the  whole  lump. — 1  ConrsTniA^s  v,  C. 
Whatsoever  a  man  soweth  that  shall  he  also  reap. — Galatiaxs  vl,  7. 


to  PEAK  not  of  trifles  lio-ht  as  air. 


Or  froth  of  Ocean's  pride  ; 
For  things,  on  which  no  thought  we  spare, 
^7         The  mightiest  forces  hide. 
As  slumbers,  in  the  clod,  the  fire, 
As  lingers  music  in  the  lyre, 
So  future  destinies  are  born 
From  hours  of  prayer,  or  hours  of  scorn. 

Where  God  in  generous  fullness  dwells, 

Nor  small  nor  great  is  known ; 
He  paints  the  tiniest  flowret-cells 

O'er  emerald  meadows  strown  ; 
And  sees,  but  not  with  kinder  eyes, 
The  heavens  grow  rich  with  sunset  dyes  ; 
Both  ministrant  to  beauty's  sense, 
Both  signs  of  one  Omnipotence. 

He  comes  not  forth  with  pageant  grand 

His  marvels  to  perform  ; 
A  cloud  "  the  bigness  of  a  hand  " 

Can  blacken  heaven  with  storm. 


J 


.;=  w,->  = 


H*NH 


SABBAT E    CHIMES.  29 


A  grain  of  dust,  if  He  arrange, 


The  fortunes  of  a  planet  change. 
An  insect  reef  can  overwhelm 


Ask  tidings  of  the  battle  now. 


The  stately  navies  of  a  realm. 

There  are  no  trifles.     Arks  as  frail 

As  bore  God's  prince  of  old, 
On  many  a  buoyant  Nile  stream  sail 

The  age's  heirs  to  hold. 
From  Jacob's  love  on  Joseph  shed, 
Came  Egypt's  wealth  and  Israel's  bread; 
From  Ruth's  chance  gleaning  in  the  corn, 
The  Psalmist  Bang ;  the  Christ  was  born. 

Each  spirit  weaves  the  robe  it  wears 

From  out  life's  busy  loom, 
And  common  tasks  and  daily  cares 

Make  up  the  threads  of  doom. 
Wouldst  thou  the  vailed  future  read  ? 
The  harvest  answereth  to  the  seed. 
Shall  Heaven  e'er  crown  the  victor's  brow  ? 


O  wise  beyond  all  written  page 

Are  those  who  learn  to  say. 
•'  Less  worth  were  centuries  of  age 

Than  golden  hours  to-day  !  " 
For  in  the  present  all  the  past 
And  future  years  are  folded  fast. 
And  in  each  laden  moment  lie 
The  shapes  of  an  eternitv. 


30 


SABJ3ATJI   (JHIMES. 


' 


Hpipbaiitj., 


in. 


J 


Iteturn  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul. — Psalm  cxvi,  7. 

^pHERE  is  the  rest  we  long  to  gain, 
The  rest  beyond  decaying  ? 
Our  life-long  chase  of  shadows  vain 
Has  wrought  our  heart's  betraying. 
Our  harps  are  sadly  mute  from  sound, 

And  hang  on  strangers'  willows ; 
Our  dove  no  sheltering  home  hath  found, 
But  wearies  o'er  the  billows. 

In  restless  pain  we  heave  and  toss 

Like  playthings  of  the  Ocean  ; 
And  mourn  with  sharpest  pangs  of  loss 

Dead  objects  of  devotion. 
We  follow  light  where'er  it  gleams, 

Though  marsh  and  mist  encumber ; 
We  reign,  anointed  kings, — in  dreams, — 

But  wake,  forlorn,  from  slumber. 

We  grasp  at  grains  of  shining  dust, 

But  in  the  grasp  they  perish ; 
We  put  in  men's  applause  our  trust — 

It  cheats  the  hopes  we  cherish. 


t 


- 


-*i.^       ,3? 


SABBATH    C II  HIES. 


Remorse — a  ghostly  shadow — blights 
Each  wreath  we  weave  for  pleasure  ; 

But  restless  still  we  scale  the  heights, 
Or  search  the  mines  for  treasure. 


O,  naught  of  earth  can  e'er  avail 

While  Eden-mem'ries  haunt  us  ! 
Our  longings  are  on  larger  scale 

Than  lower  worlds  can  grant  us. 
We  pant  within  the  vail  to  be, 

To  roam  in  fields  elysian, 
And,  "in  his  beauty,"  God  to  see 

Nor  die  beneath  the  vision. 

He  only  "  in  His  likeness  "  made 

Our  souls  in  the  beginning ; 
And  he  the  costlier  ransom  paid 

To  bar  the  doom  of  sinning. 
He  who  the  stars  in  courses  keeps, 

And  governs  cold  Orion ; 
He  lifts  us  from  the  restless  deeps, 

And  plants  our  feet  on  Sion. 

To  Him,  long  strayed,  we  venture  back, 

Nor  'mong  dark  mountains  wander; 
God  pledges  peace  upon  the  track, 

And  endless  welcomes  yonder. 
E'en  now  each  grateful  spirit  hears 

His  voice  the  lost  ones  calling — 
"  Return !  your  eyes  shall  cease  from  tears, 

Your  feet  be  safe  from  falling." 


$4-  SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Epipliamj;* 

IV. 

But  while  men  slept,  his  enemy  came  and  sowed  tares  among  the  wheat, 
and  went  his  way.* — Matthew  xiii,  25. 

g|j|  HE  furrows  are  straightly  drawn 
In  the  freshly-opened  soil, 
And  in  the  blush  of  the  amber  dawn 
The   sower  goes  forth  to  toil. 


j 


He  fears  not  the  winter's  frown ; 

He  knows,  as  he  hastens  on, 
From  each  good  seed  that  he  flingeth  down 

May  a  sevenfold  store  be  won. 

He  can  trust  the  land  for  wealth, 

For  Nature  is  not  forsworn. 
Unless  some  enemy  work  by  stealth 

He  shall  sing  'mid  shocks  of  corn. 


In  the  chill  and  secret  night, 

While  he  sleeps  away  his  cares, 
And  dreams  that  the  harvest-moon  is  bright, 

That  enemy  soweth  tares. 

*  This  subordinate  lesson  may  fairly  be  drawn  from  the  Parable  of  tho 
Tares,  though,  in  its  original  utterance,  it  had  of  course  another  application. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


35 


■■:■- 


Till  the  long,  long  months  are  sped, 

Till  the  wheat  is  ripe  in  ear, 
Till  fields  art  gay  with  the  reaper's  tread, 

Will  the  noxious  weeds  appear. 


And  if  some  one  asketh,  Whence 
'Mid  the  precious  come  the  vile  ? 

'Tis  when  slumber  steals  the  captive  sense 
The  enemy  works  his  wile. 


I 


Ah  me  !  how  often  are  strown, 

In  the  wider  human  field, 
Those  evil  seeds  which,  untimely  sown, 

Will  a  baneful  harvest  yield ! 


The  enemy  doth  not  sleep, 

But,  as  with  an  eldritch  spell, 
He  works,  with  a  barbarous  craft  and  deep, 

The  ill  from  the  seeming  well. 

He  breathes  on  the  good  desire, 

And  stifles  its  upward  aim ; 
He  kindles  the  passion's  lambent  fire 

Into  a  murderous  flame. 

He  breathes  on  thrift,  and  it  turns 

To  a  hungry  greed  of  gold ; 
On  zeal,  and  the  red-browed  anger  burns 

Like  a  bale-fire  on  the  wold ; 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^l^^^^^{; 


m     86 


-  ■  m 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

On  self-respect,  and  it  fumes 
Like  a  war-horse  in  its  pride  ; 

On  faith,  and  it  cowers  in  darkened  rooms 
Where  ghostly  visitants  glide. 


He  whispers  fear,  and  it  pales 

In  the  feebleness  of  fright ; 
He  clouds  the  heaven  till  the  pole-star  fails 

To  cheer  the  mariner's  sight. 

Restless  and  fierce  as  a  flood 

Which  death  on  its  bosom  bears — 

Thus  ever  at  work  to  blight  the  good, 
The  enemy  soweth  tares. 

Watch  !     Watch  by  the  furrows  dark, 

Till  the  weary  night  is  done, 
And  o'er  the  ridges  the  herald-lark 

Is  sent  to  announce  the  sun. 


If  the  eyelids  wakeful  keep, 

Ye  are  warned  against  the  foe ; 
Tis' when  brain  and  heart  are  still  with  sleep 

That  he  ventureth  forth  to  sow. 


>-* 


J 
4a 


S ABBA  TH  CHIMES.  27 

v. 

The  men  of  NiDeveh  shall  rise  in  the  judgment  with  this  generation,  and  shall 
condemn  it. — Matthew  xii,  41. 

^   S  on  some  queenly  forehead  shines  a  rare  and 
costly  gem, 
_,"*     So  shone  the   truth — all  price  beyond — in  fair 
Jerusalem ; 
The  Truth  Incarnate  through  her  streets  in  weary  sojourn 

trod, 
And,  truer  than  her  priesthood  knew,  her  Temple  guested 
God. 


No  timid  prophet,  frightened  'neath  the  burden  which  he 

bore, 

Spoke  sadly  in  her  stately  halls  one  warning,  and  no  more ; 
But  God's  own  Son  revealed  himself  by  many  a  healing  sign, 
And  from  their  graves  the  dead  came  forth  to  witness  him 

divine. 

No  lightnings  clave  the  shuddering  air  around  his  Saviour- 
path, 

No  hearts  turned,  sick'ning,  from  a  voice  which  spake  of 
naught  but  wrath  ; 

But  loving  word  and  loving  deed  hope  to  the  vilest  gave, 

That  he  had  come  from  foulest  sin  and  fiercest  doom 
to  save. 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


=#3$^*gg 


SABBATH    CHI  ACES. 


But  as,  when  swept  by  angry  winds,  the  waves  more  angry 

swell, 
So  o'er  that  city  proud  and  stern  no  contrite  silence  fell ; 
But  louder  rang  her  rebel  songs,  and  scornful  in  her  pride, 
Alike  the  love  of  Heaven  she  spurned,  and  wrath  of  Heaven 

defied. 


The  sun  shone  bright  o'er  Xineveh,  and  every  marble  street 

"Was  filled  with  morning  greetings,  and  with  fall  of  hurry- 
ing feet ; 

Aloft  the  sounding  voices  swelled  through  all  the  slum- 
brous air, 

From  mart  of  many  traders,  and  from  Xisroch's  fane  of 
prayer. 


But,  as  pale  Xature  holds  her  breath  beneath  the  thunder- 
cloud, 

By  spell  of  sudden  silence  was  that  voiceful  city  bowed ; 

And  through  the  ghostly  stillness,  like  a  knell,  uprose  the 
tone, 

"Yet  forty  days,  and  Xineveh  is"  humbled  or  "o'er- 
thrown." 


With   eyes  that   shone   with   secrets,  and  with   haggard 
looks  and  wan, 

fFrom  street  to  street  the  Prophet  passed — a  lonely,  bur- 
dened man ; 


f 


-^«^^^IH^***^^#rt^^^^^«#i^^*^l 


I 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


39 


He  passed,  and  spoke,  and  vanished,  as  some  specter  of 

the  night, 
Which  lifts  one  dooming  finger,  and  then  mocks  the  strain- 


But  to  the  city's  heart  that  word  leaped  like  a  forked 
flame, 

And  smote  each  chord,  which,  trembling,  broke  in  peniten- 
tial shame ; 

And  on  and  on,  from  hut  to  throne,  the  tide  of  sorrow 
swept, 

Till,  with  a  wail  which  reached  to  God,  that  mighty  city 
wept. 


h 


This,  eager  as  the  flowers  are  to  wooing  suns  to  yield  ! 
That,  hard  as  is  the  triple  mail  or  boss  of  brazen  shield ! 
And,  in  the  white  light  of  the  throne,  before  which  both 

shall  stand, 
Which  will  the  judgment-angel  choose  to  wear  the  guiltier 

brand  ? 


0  thou,  on  whom  the  Gospel  light  now    sitteth   like   a 

crown, 
Take  heed  lest  thou  by  meaner  lips  art  humbled  and  cast 

down! 
Be  still,  my  heart !  and  reverent,  as  the  warning  tale  is 

told; 
The  clay  into  God's  kingdom  presses  oft  before  the  gold. 


#35 


40 


SABBATH    CH IMS 8. 


Epiphamj;* 


VI. 


He  was  in  the  hinder  part  of  the  ship,  asleep  on  a  pillow :  and  they 

awake,  him,  and  say  unto  him,  Master,  carest  thou  not  that  we 

perish? — Maek  iv,  3S. 
When  even  was  come,  the  ship  was  in  the  midst  of  the  sea,  and  he 

alone  on  the  land.     And  he  saw  them  toiling  in  rowing;   for  the 

wind  was  contrary  unto  them. — Mark  vi,  47,  4S. 

^  'ER  Gennesaret,  mountain-bordered, 
$  Beats  the  storm,  and  swells  the  gale, 
While  the  bark,  divinely  ordered, 
Spreads  for  shore  the  laboring  sail. 
Faster  foils  the  cloud-heart's  raining ; 

Lightnings  leap  from  thunder-caves ; 
Through  the  dead'ning  midnight  straining, 
Wild  eyes  shine  across  the  waves. 


O  how  oft  men  weary,  gazing 

For  some  radiant  help  from  far, 
While  above  them,  downward  blazing, 

Gleams  some  bright  and  friendly  star ! 
In  their  billowy  danger  sharing 

Lay  their  Lord,  in  human  sleep 
Calm  as  childhood's — while  unsparing 

Surged  and  strove  the  furious  deep. 


OH&&&S&S& 


From  his  gentlest  slumber  parted, 

Glance  of  that  awaking  eye 
Soothes  the  lone  and  fretful-hearted, 

Bids  their  fear  in  faith  to  die. 
What  to  Him  the  wild  commotion 

Vassals  to  his  sov'reign  will, 
Fiercest  wind  or  angriest  ocean 

Instant  at  his  word  are  still. 


O'er  Gennesaret,  wildly  blowing, 

Chafe  the  sullen  winds  again, 
While  the  voyagers  "  toil  in  rowing," 

With  a  dull  impatient  pain. 
Deeper  looms  the  dark  before  them, 

Wearier  grows  each  slack'ning  hand, 
No  loved  j)rcsence  bending  o'er  them  ; 

Hopeless  night  and  distant  land. 


41 


Louder  roars  the  surge's  clangor, 

Which  the  troubled  moon  shines  o'er 
And  the  surf-waves,  white  with  anger, 

Dash  in  battle  on  the  shore  : 
But  the  Lord,  his  own  beholding, 

Watches  o'er  their  roused  alarms, 
As  some  mother  watches,  folding 

Frightened  nurslings  in  her  arms. 


<W64-MHKM-^^«^^6^^^-^ 


1 


-  "^ 


4-2  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Wearily  the  night-watch  weareth, 

Weareth,  sick'ning  and  forlorn, 
Yet  the  promised  help  forbeareth  ; 

Hush  of  blast,  or  glimpse  of  morn. 
Then  the  waiting  Saviour  maketh 

O'er  the  stomi  his  path  of  peace  ; 
From  the  wave  the  frenzy  breaketh  ; 

In  the  heart  the  discords  cease. 


f 


On  our  souls  be  deeply  graven 

Lessons  by  these  tempests  taught : 
Willeth  Christ  to  lift  the  craven 

Into  realms  of  braver  thought. 
When  with  him  we  sojourn  longer, 

And  the  heart  has  stronger  grown ; 
Rageth  then  the  storm-cloud  stronger, 

And  we  brave  the  blast  alone. 

"While  untried  we  strive  and  wrestle 

In  our  yet  unripened  strength, 
Christ  will  slumber  in  the  vessel, 

And  will  speak  the  calm  at  length. 
Through  the  wilder  tempest  scathless. 

While  we  bravely  breast  the  wave, 
Still  we  hear  him,  "  Be  not  faithless, 

I  am  watching,  I  will  save." 


I 


■  _,_■. i  _, ._  ■  =  =  .■=«,  _./  =.;,- 


Faith, 


But  let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering. — James  i,  6. 

HE  restful  look  which  angels  wear ; 
The  glance  of  an  untroubled  eye, 
Whose  quick,  clear  gaze  still  seeks  the  sky : 
A  mouth  half  parted,  as  for  prayer  ; 


i 


All  sunshine  on  the  upward  face ; 

All  meekness  in  the  folded  palms ; 

As  some  fair  girl,  who  asketh  alms 
For  her  blind  father  in  his  place : 

Yes  !  this  is  Faith,  a  patient  guest, 
Content  to  wait  till  fuller  time  ; 
And  nourishing  a  trust  sublime 

That  she  shall  grasp  the  heavenliest. 

The  bliss  of  those  who  "  have  not  seen ; " 
Who,  through  the  months  of  dark  decay, 
Can  realize  the  bright-haired  May 

Twining  her  coronets  of  green. 


&^s^$ 


t 

I 

f 


r 


& 


44 


8  ABB  A  Til   CHIMES. 


The  bliss  of  those,  who,  all  the  night, 
With,  cressets  burning  in  the  crypt, 
Have  seen  the  ruby  morning,  dipt 

And  bathed  in  glory,  greet  the  sight. 

Yea  !  this  is  Faith.     It  dares  not  doubt 
The  honor  of  the  Father's  Xarne  ; 
For  though  the  world  may  fill  with  blame, 

The  child  goes  proudly  in  and  out. 

"Within  itself  its  evidence 

Has  mastered  fear  and  captured  thought ; 

And  all  things  seem  as  if  o'erwrought 
By  pressure  of  celestial  sense. 

Of  old.  the  venturous  Genoese 

Stood  in  a  great  thought  calm  and  stern 
"Mid  rebel  crew,  his  prow  to  turn 

Through  the  vast  reach  of  westward  Beas. 

Careless,  though  the  vexed  waters  swirled. 
Like  hate  and  envy's  meaner  things ; 
Until  the  land-bird's  timid  wi    _- 
Brought  welcomes  of  a  newer  world. 

With  visions  of  unuttered  good. 

How  drooped  the  dazzled  eyelids  dim. 

What  time  before  the  Sanhedrim 
Erect  the  earliest  martyr  stood ! 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


4-S 


Then  in  the  teeth  of  foes  he  spake  ; 
As  those  who  see  the  opened  gate, 
Nor  blench  to  meet  the  deadliest  fate, 

In  Jesus'  strength,  for  Jesus'  sake. 

Yes  !  this  is  Faith  ;  which  dares  rely 
Though  all  is  hostile  circumstance ; 
Only  concerned  to  catch  the  glance 

Of  one  all-seeing,  loving  Eye : 

That  Eye  on  which  her  own  is  bent, 

Whose  looks,  whene'er  they  downward  strike, 
Can  make  ours  to  their  pureness  like 

While  gazing,  filled  with  that  intent. 

And  Christ  will  all  the  souls  exalt 
Of  those  who  cleave  to  him  alone, 
Till,  in  the  glory  of  the  throne, 

They  are  presented  "  without  fault." 


Lord  !  put  this  Faith  within  my  heart, 

That  I  may  so  familiar  be 

Thy  light  will  not  be  strange  to  me 
When  I  shall  see  thee  "  as  thou  art." 


46 


S  ABBA  TH     CHIME 8. 


J^aps, 


We  are  saved  by  hope ;  but  hope  that  is  seen  is  not  hope ;  fur  what  a 
man  seeth,  -why  doth  he  yet  hope  for?  But  if  we  hope  for  that  we 
see  not,  then  do  we  with  patience  wait  for  it. — Romans  viii,  24,  25. 


WHO  can  tell  of  the  sower's  cares 
As  lie  wanders  forth  alone  ? 
While  the  shrill  wind  whistles  in  wintry  airs 
Js^/^  \        To  the  answering  surge's  moan. 


; 


No  sunny  gleam  in  the  leaden  day, 
No  blithe  companions  around, 

Silent  he  scatters  the  seed  away 
In  the  cold,  uncertain  ground. 

Wearily,  wearily  forth  he  plods 
With  life  for  the  yielding  loam ; 

Who  can  say  if  ever,  above  the  clods, 
He  shall  hear  the  harvest  home  ? 


Shall  the  long,  dark  months  which  intervene 
The  work  of  the  seed-time  spoil  ? 

Or  the  locust  army  blight  the  green 
When  it  peeps  above  the  soil  ? 


f 


SABBATH    CHIM  E  S. 


4-7 


Shall  seed,  long  wooed  by  the  jealous  rain, 

Into  wanton  fullness  sprout  ? 
Or  the  mad  wind  scatter  the  bearded  grain, 

In  its  boisterous  glee,  about  ? 


O  who  can  tell  of  the  sower's  cares, 
As  he  wanders  lone  and  mute, 

And  lightens  his  labors  with  many  prayers 
For  the  generous  gift  of  fruit  ? 


I 


% 


For  some  may  fall  where  travelers  tread, 
And  the  wild  birds  round  it  flock  ; 

And  some  where  the  furrow  is  sparsely  spread 
O'er  a  scarp  of  stubborn  rock  ; 

And  some  amid  ranker  thorns,  which  hide 
The  sun  from  the  seed  he  leaves  ; 

It  were  strange  if  ever  the  country-side 
Should  wave  with  the  whitening  sheaves. 


Though  clouds  may  gather,  and  winds  may  sigh, 

And  scoffers  deride  his  deed, 
Yet  ever  from  sunrise  hastening  by 

The  sower  soweth  the  seed. 


O,  brave  and  bold  is  the  sower's  heart, 
"With  his  darkling  fears  to  cope, 

For  the  dull,  gray  future  is  spanned  athwart 
By  the  iris-arch  of  Hope. 


I 


^ 


SABBATH    C  HI  ME  8. 


fit 


And  this  heavenly  word  hath  made  him  strong, 

"  The  harvest  shall  never  cease  :"' 
And  he  scattereth  still  to  that  inward  song, 

For  duty  fulfilled  hath  peace. 


'Twere  pleasanter  work,  with  the  flower-crowned, 

And  the  harvest  laugh  of  friends  ; 
But  the  God  who  blesses  the  fruitful  ground, 

The  bliss  of  the  seed-time  sends. 

And  though  lonely  toil  on  earth  is  sad, 

'Mid  the  frown  of  wintry  weather, 
The  sowers  and  reapers — where  all  is  glad — 

Shall  rejoice  for  aye  together. 


r^M^^s^^^^^^^^^^M^ii 


SABBAT  H    C  H 1 21 E  IS. 


49 


hnv$< 


A 


The  greatest  of  these  is  charity. — 1  Corinthians  xiii.  13. 


;  J^Jr  OOM  for  the  last  and  largest  grace 
°  "'if^      ^ne  Church  below  can  e'er  express ; 

Which  stamps  on  earthly  hearts  and  base 
The  image  of  Heaven's  loveliness  ! 
Ordained  the  chiefest  bliss  to  prove, 
Likeness  to  God — for  "  God  is  Love  I" 


An  honest  eye,  a  brow  so  frank, 

It  ne'er  can  home  a  thought  of  guile ; 

The  patent  of  a  heavenly  rank ; 
The  signet  of  a  heavenly  smile ; 

What  base-born  craft  can  simulate 

Credentials  of  such  kingly  state  ? 


Forgiving,  though  she  suffers  long, 
From  low  suspicion  nobly  free, 

In  faith  sublime,  in  patience  strong, 
Eager  from  her  own  praise  to  flee. 

"  An  angel,  sure,"  men  wond'ring  say, 

"Hath  lighted  upon  earth  to-day." 

4 


■ia 


%^^^^^^^^^^^  ?^m 


60 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


As,  by  the  sluggard  eyes  unseen, 
The  dew  her  choicest  balm  distills ; 

As  o'er  the  silent  mountains  green 

The  summer  spreads  her  wealth  of  rills  ; 

So  Love  her  dews  and  rills  lets  fall : 

Concealed  herself — she  blesses  all. 


Without  her,  vain  the  boastful  noise 
Of  chariots'  whirl  and  trumpets'  blare  : 

Labor  hath  but  distempered  joys, 

And  darkness  rests  on  cross  and  care ; 

And  Zeal's  wild  lightnings  cleave  the  gloom, 

Lurid  as  torches  in  a  tomb. 


For  men  are  thankless  all,  and  prone 
To  think  white  raiment  hides  a  scar ; 

And  Doubt's  complaining  under-tone 

Is  heard  through  Faith's  high  hymns  afar : 

And  selfish  murmurs,  loud  and  rude, 

O'erpower  the  chant  of  Gratitude. 


But  where  Love  is  the  vail  will  lift ; 

As  some  belated  traveler  sees, 
Clear  through  the  shaggy  tempest's  rift, 

Light  of  the  steadfast  Pleiades  ; 
And,  growing  trustful  at  the  sight, 
Thinks  of  the  heaven  beyond  the  night. 


f 


-  &#^# 


SABBATH    CHUTES. 


If  Love  the  faith  and  life  inform, 
Men  rise  above  their  dark  distrust, 

As  the  bright  wings — erewhile  the  worm — 
Leave  in  disdain  their  former  dust. 

AVhen  keen  eyes  pierce  all  falsehoods  through, 

Love  bears  the  glance,  for  Love  is  true. 


Love  is  the  talisman  which  quells 
The  stormiest  surge  of  mortal  strife ; 

And  when  we  die,  and  dies  all  else 
Of  goodliness  or  charm  in  life, 

To  fairer  worlds  translated  high 

Love  passes  the  death-angel  by. 


Faith  cannot  scale  the  jasper  walls; 

She  bows  and  dies  before  the  gate  ; 
And  Hope  in  mortal  faintness  falls, 

With  blest  fruition  satiate : 
But  Love  abides — the  lasting  grace — 
For  Love  is  native  to  the  place. 


But  how  shall  souls  denied  as  ours 
E'er  harbor  such  celestial  guest  ? 

She  dwells  with  consecrated  powers — 
The  pure  intent,  the  blameless  breast ; 

Or  hides  in  lowliest  nooks  away, 

Like  cereus-buds,  which  shrink  from  day. 


H 


££ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


"  Xearer  to  Christ  "  we  must  retreat ; 

The  bliss  to  loved  disciples  known 
And  while  his  quiet  pulses  beat 

Must  learn  to  regulate  our  own  ; 
Until  we  all  his  mind  receive, 
And  learn  of  Love  in  love  to  live. 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


§3 


Lstti 


E. 


■■■' 


Is  it  such  a  fast  that  I  have  chosen?  a  day  for  a  man  to  afflict  his 
soul  ?  ...  Is  not  this  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen  ?  to  loose  the  hands 
of  wickedness,  to  undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and  to  let  the  oppressed 
go  free. — Isaiah  lviii,  5,  6. 

Thou,  when  thou  fastest,  anoint  thy  head. — Matthew  vi,  17. 


HERE'S  winter  on  the  hills  to-day. 
The  sad  wind  soughs  o'er  churchyard  knolls, 
And  weary  nature  seems  to  say, 
"  Tis  Lenten-tide  for  sinful  souls." 


The  barb  is  in  our  heart  to-day ; 

Sore  crushed  with  sense  of  ail  and  sin, 
We  feebly  strive  and  faintly  pray, 

'Gainst  danger  near,  for  grace  within. 

We  mourn  our  pride  and  passion's  stain, 
The  earthly  in  our  hearts  enshrined ; 

The  rebel  flesh,  too  oft  in  vain 
Commanded  by  the  nobler  mind ; 


And  all  of  human  curse  or  care 

Which  lurk  life's  dangerous  paths  among, 
To  quench  the  altar-flame  of  prayer, 

Or  hush  the  heavenward  strain  of  song. 


54- 


*■**"*■ 


S  ABB  AT  H    CHIME  S. 


Hence  !  selfish  trust  and  sordid  aims  I 
No  longer  on  our  memories  crowd  ! 

Our  heart  its  inner  fast  proclaims, 
And  "  fears  to  enter  in  the  cloud." 


Bold  in  the  sight  of  men  we  tread. 

Who  wore  for  us  the  crown  of  thoru 
He  bade  us  to  "  anoint  the  head  ;  " 

The  Christian  fast  is  manly  borne. 

Sad  with  the  smart  of  contrite  pain, 

We  keep  apart  our  vigils  lone, 
And  inly  weep,  like  her  of  Xain, 

The  tears  which  melt  the  heart  from  stone. 

We  wail  not  the  remorseful  cry 

Once  wrung  from  hopeless  traitor's  breast ; 
The  offended  Saviour  passeth  by 

As  erst,  to  breathe  not  wrath,  but  rest. 

Calmly  floats  on  the  guarded  ark. 

Though  fiercely  the  proud  waters  roll ; 
Exults  and  sings,  above  the  dark, 

The  bird  with  morning  in  his  soul. 

It  were  not  meet  His  love  to  spurn ; 

"While  humbled,  we  ourselves  abase  ; 
For  contrite  hearts  the  shadows  turn 

To  loving  smiles  upon  his  face. 


1 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 

The  Bridegroom  of  the  Church  hath  still 
His  royal  feast  before  her  spread ; 

And  while  lie  lingers,  nothing  will 

The  "  children  of  his  chamber  "  dread. 


55 


f 


Chastened  by  him,  before  his  feet 

We  cast  our  sloth,  and  shame,  and  pride 

His  strength  invoke,  his  love  entreat, 
Who  saith,  "  I  will  not  always  chide." 

Then  ready  or  for  work  or  war, 

We  keep  the  fast  which  he  doth  choose  ; 
And  in  his  service  valiant  are, 

"  The  bands  of  wickedness  to  loose." 

Thus,  from  our  Lent,  his  grace  shall  make 
An  easier  road  from  earth  to  heaven ; 

And,  pardoned  for  the  Saviour's  sake, 
"  We  love,  for  we  have  much  forgiven." 


* 


M^-^^^^M^^II 


56 


SABBATH    CHUTES. 


Lstrt. 


ii. 

Then  was   Jesus  led  up  of  the  Spirit  into  the  wilderness,  to  be  tempted  of  the 

devil. — Matthew  iv.  1. 
For  we  have  not  a  hiirh  priest  which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our 

infirmities:  but  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin. — 

Hebrews  iv.  15. 
For  in  that  lie  himself  hath  suffered  being  tempted,  he  is  able  to  succour  them 

that  are  tempted. — Hebrews  ii,  18. 


IERCELY  on  Salem's  towers  and  hills 
The  hot  sun  striketh  down  ; 
lOj         The  feverish  pulse  of  summer  thrills 

The  desert  bare  and  brown  : 
As,  Spirit-guided,  through  the  languid  air. 
Moves  one  sad  form  apart  for  fasting,  strife,  and  prayer. 

Nature  hath  no  foreboding  voice  ; 

Xo  battle  trumpets  blow ; 
The  heedless  sons  of  men  rejoice  ; 
The  mornings  come  and  go ; 
But  in  that  desert  deadlier  conflict  nears 
Than  where  the  chariots  roll,  or  glance  the  glittering  sjuears. 

The  lists  are  spread.     In  solemn  tryst, 

In  God's  eternal  plan, 
'Tis  here  the  Satan  tempts  the  Christ, 
As  once  he  tempted  man. 
And  shall  he  triumph,  as  on  Eden's  field  ? 
Will  here  the  mightier  Adam  cast  awav  his  shield  \ 


B  _-./«-.«  *_,-=._  •=  f 


SABBATH   CHIMES.  57 

Whv  gaze  we  with  such  wishful  eves 

That  keenest  strife  upon  ? 
Why  sing  we,  when,  to  nether  skies, 
The  baffled  fiend  has  gone  ? 
For  us  the  fight  is  won,  the  victory  wrought, 
Whose  issues  stretch  beyond  the  loftiest  reach  of  thought ! 

Our  hearts,  forlorn  and  troubled,  need 

A  tender  priest  and  true, 
Mighty  with  God  to  intercede, 
But  kind  and  human  too  ; 
And  Christ,  in  this  his  desert  hour,  reveals 
The  arm  of  conq'ring  strength,  the  heart  which  warmly  feels 

\  ainly  he  tells  of  wound  or  scar 

"Who  ne'er  took  sword  in  hand ; 
Idly  Tie  speaks  of  ocean's  war 
"Who  sees  it  from  the  strand. 
The  '"  visage  marred  "  begets  the  sense  of  pain ; 
Our  own  tears  give  the  power  all  other  tears  t'  explain. 


fSo,  Jesus  !  in  this  school  of  scorn, 
Though  thou  wert  Son  Divine, 
The  whispered  sin,  the  troubling  thorn, 
The  thought  of  shame  were  thine. 
"  Tempted  in  all  points."     Be  thy  name  adored 
For  this  true  humanness — our  Brother,  Saviour,  Lord ! 


&$ 


£|W=;    —    - 


§8 


SABBATH  CniMES. 


I 


Loving  and  faithful !  we  require 

Nothing  apart  from  thee  ; 
Anointed  by  this  chrism  of  fire 
Our  true  High  Priest  we  see ; 
And  boldly  venture  through  life's  wildering  maze, 
Brave  because  thou,  O  Christ,  didst  tread  the  self-same  ways. 


When  perils  round  us  threatening  hang, 

Or  arduous  duties  press, 
And  yielding  flesh  would  'scape  the  pang, 
Or  make  the  trouble  less, 
By  coward  means,  we  think  of  Him  who  bore. 
And  spurned  the  unhallowed  thought  in  ages  long  before. 


When  oft  the  harassed  soul  around 

Presumption  spreads  her  snares, 
And  captive  leads  the  spirit,  bound 
With  chain  of  needless  cares  ; 
"  Thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  " — this  word  of  power 
Our  souls  shall  weapon  through  the  dark,  deceitful  hour. 


And  when  the  Tempter,  bolder  grown, 

Suggests  the  atheist  lie, 
And  bids  us,  at  his  Moloch-throne, 
To  pay  our  homage  high, 
Humble,  but  dauntless,  through  our  Lord's  defense, 
We  speak  the  words  rebuking — Satan,  get  thee  hence  ! 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Most  grateful  in  the  desert  lone 

The  rock  its  shadow  flings ; 
Most  gentle  where  the  grass  is  mown 


And,  after  struggle,  to  the  wearied  breast 
Earth  hath  no  paradise  so  sweet  as  perfect  rest. 

So  when  the  demon-thoughts  are  fled, 

Angels  come  trooping  down 
To  fan  the  brow,  and  lift  the  head, 
And  bring  the  palm  and  crown ; 
We  see  the  vision,  hear  the  approval  given  ; 
The  Master  smiles   "Well  done,"  and  in  that  smile  is 
heaven. 


^^H^#^H^-^*#^^  !  «!  " 


! 


60 


SAB  BAT  IT   CHIMES. 


Lent. 


in. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day  that  the  light  shall  not  be  clear, 
nor  dark ;  but  it  shall  be  one  day  which  shall  be  known  unto  the 
Lord,  not  day,  nor  night;  but  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  at  evening 
time  it  shall  be  light.— Zechaeiah  xiv,  6,  7. 


rLERCE  through  the  land  the  invader  sweeps, 
As  sudden  from  the  glacier-steeps, 
The  avalanche  in  fury  leaps. 

Sad  silence  in  her  banquet-halls, 
Confusion  on  her  leaguered  walls, 
Darkly  the  curse  on  Judah  falls. 

Their  fathers'  graves  the  stranger  owns, 
All  plaintive  are  the  minstrel  tones, 
For  "  none  take  pleasure  in  her  stones." 

On  every  heart  there  comes  the  blight 
Of  wish,  almost  of  hope.     No  sight 
Of  sun  or  star — dim,  troubled  light. 

"  Not  clear,  nor  dark,"  the  Lord  hath  said, 
A  gleam  through  angry  clouds  o'erhead, 
A  dull  gray  morning,  flecked  with  red. 

Who  knows  not  this  ?     To  us  'tis  given 

Into  this  desert  to  be  driven, 

Faint  hope  on  earth,  faint  glimpse  of  heaven. 


£ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


61 


No  trust,  no  power  to  see  the  best, 
Dark  fears  too  vague  to  be  expressed, 
A  feverish  gasping  after  rest. 

Not  hopeless  "  dark,"  but  O  !  "  not  clear," 
How  oft  the  fitful  lights  appear 
Which  bum  for  mortal  guidance  here ! 


Then  from  the  depths  we  cry  afar 
If  haply  some  kind  Bethlehem-star 
Will  lead  us  where  our  mercies  are  ; 


I 


And  the  Lord's  presence  brings  its  balm, 

As  on  the  ancient  lake  a  calm. 

We  hush  the  sob,  we  raise  the  psalm. 

"  Known  to  the  Lord : "  this  gospel  will 
All  our  unrestful  murmurs  still, 
Our  hearts  with  patient  gladness  fill. 

If  he,  our  Saviour,  knows  our  pain, 
Each  wearying  hour,  each  sad  refrain, 
Shall  end  in  joy,  as  clouds  in  rain. 

And  if  the  shadows  denser  frown, 
And  clasp  us  like  an  ebon  crown — 
They  break  before  the  sun  goes  down. 

"  At  even,  light,"  the  promise  runs- 
Bright  as  with  pomp  of  many  suns, 
Whispered  to  God's  beloved  ones. 


62  SABBATH   CHIJIES. 

As  lightning  from  the  tempest  torn, 

So,  ere  the  night  a  newer  morn 

Is  from  the  gathering  darkness  born. 

Bursts  upon  even-tide  the  day. 
The  shadows  are  dispersed  for  aye, 
The  crimson  glows  above  the  gray. 

Ne'er  is  that  westering  splendor  past ; 
To  heaven?s  own  noon  it  broadens  fast, 
And  while  God  liveth  it  shall  last. 


mm 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


53 


Lstii 


IV. 


And  Moses  said.  I  will  now  turn  aside,  and  see  this  great  sight,  why  the 
bush  is  not  burned.  And  when  the  Lord  saw  that  he  turned  aside  to 
see.  God  called  unto  him  out  of  the  midst  of  the  bush. — Exodus  iii.  3,  4. 


'RE AT  are  thy  works,  O  God !  and  sought 
Of  those  who  fix  their  kindling  thought 
On  thy  all-wise  designs ; 
-  '_>-<   Deeper  the  rev'rent  wonder  grows, 

Deeper  the  sense  of  sweet  repose, 
As,  in  thy  ways,  thy  tireless  goodness  shines. 

Happy  the  men  who,  while  the  tide 
Of  life  flows  on,  can  "  turn  aside  " 
Thy  purpose  to  discern  ! 
So,  timely-curious,  Moses  came 
To  gaze  upon  the  fronds  of  flame — 
The  bush,  whose  red  leaves  flourish  while  they  burn. 

The  brooklet  murmured  in  its  bed, 
The  flocks  in  patient  silence  fed, 

As  o'er  the  plain  he  trod ; 
Startled  to  watch  the  unwonted  fire, 
Xor  guessing,  as  it  leaped  the  higher, 
That  in  its  midst  was  shrined  the  hidden  God. 


*#^§L? 


^4 


64- 


S ABB AT  H  CHIMES. 


t 


This  morn  like  other  moras  had  seemed; 
Of  naught  the  musing  Shepherd  dreamed 

Beyond  the  common  round ; 
When  bursts  upon  his  dazzled  eyes 
Of  that  "  great  sight  "  the  quick  surprise, 
And  the  Yoice  bade  him  rev'rence  "  holy  ground. 


'Tis  often  thus.     Life's  duteous  deeds 
Are  steps  by  which  "  the  angel "  leads 

To  "  greater  things  than  these : 
As  Simon  froin  Tiberias'  breast 
Was  summoned  by  his  Lord's  behest 
Of  the  new  Gospel-realm  to  hold  the  keys. 


O,  not  from  far — beneath — above 
We  vainly  quest  incarnate  Love ; 
God  all  around  we  see ; 
Though  banished  into  dreariest  wild, 
The  Father  talketh  with  the  Child— 
His  holy  place  the  one  lone  desert  tree. 


The  stammered  word,  the  slender  praise, 
The  poor,  the  young,  the  friendless  raise,- 

The  homage,  long  delayed, 
He  will  not  e'er  reject  with  scorn, — 
He,  who  of  old  the  wilding  thorn 
In  Midian's  waste  His  bright  pavilion  made. 


J§^^^^  .=-._>-  ~.  /-«.. 


r*=2g- 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


65 


What  angel  word,  what  mystic  sign 
Revealed  the  hidden  Guest  divine, 

By  earth  and  heaven  adored, 
We  know  not ;  but  a  look,  a  tone, 
A  blessing,  made  the  Godhead  known : 
Christ  spake  but  "Mary,"  and  she  knew  the  Lord. 

The  light  is  bom  out  of  the  dark ; 
Then  let  us  humbly  wait  and  hark 

For  whisper  or  for  word  : 
The  grandest  message  of  God's  lips, 
His  most  sublime  apocalypse, 
Oft  from  the  fiercest  heart  of  flame  is  heard. 

Xot  ours  to  grieve,  not  ours  to  choose 
The  way  in  which  the  heavenly  news 
Our  spirits  shall  inspire  ! 
Welcome  or  pain,  or  awe,  or  fear, 
If  but  our  honored  souls  may  hear 
Thy  voice,  O  Lord  !  though  thou  shalt  speak  "by  fire." 
6 


$* 


66 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Hbsnt 


v. 


The  hour  is  come  that  the  Son  of  man  should  be  glorified.  Now  is 
my  soul  troubled:  and  what  shall  I  say?  Father,  save  me  from  this 
hour  ?  but  for  this  cause  came  I  unto  this  hour.  Father,  glorify  thy 
name. — John  xii,  23-28. 


£HE  hour  is  come  !  'tis  thus  He  wakes 

His  followers  from  their  feverish  dream  ; 
And  his  high  purpose  to  redeem, 
Forth  on  the  startled  silence  breaks. 


Who  can  the  loving  mystery  read  ? 

Glory  and  death !  O  wedlock  strange  ! 

Can  anguish  thus  to  honor  change  ? 
Do  martyrs  triumph  while  they  bleed  ? 

Doth  joy,  the  truant,  lurk  in  pain  ? 

Is  life  concealed  in  bitter  cup  ? 

How  can  fair  visions  kindle  up 
From  panting  heart  and  burdened  brain  ? 


Gaze  the  disciples  on  their  Lord. 

No  wonder  that  their  asking  eyes, 

Which  court,  the  while  they  dread,  replies, 

Should  long1  for  some  assuring  word. 


STSNH* 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


67 


But  denser  darkness  settles  down. 
The  human  fear,  the  human  will, 
New  agonies  impending  still — 

The  mystery  of  the  Father's  frown. 

Dark  earth,  blue  heaven  all  clouded  o'er, 
The  strange  and  lonely  strife  with  sin — 
O,  ne'er  was  kingdom  ushered  in 

By  heralds  sad  as  these  before  ! 

The  highest  glory  is  not  where, 
'Mid  crimson  clouds,  the  fight  is  won ; 
'Tis  to  reclaim  the  erring  son, 

Long  used  the  sinful  yoke  to  bear. 

Better  to  clothe  with  corn  the  wild 
Than  track  the  fire-path  of  a  star ; 
Less  the  proud  sons  of  science  are 

Than  clown  who  saves  a  drowning  child. 


Through  death  the  world  is  raised  above 
Its  alien  curse  and  kindred  dust ; 
We  on  the  cross  read,  "  God  is  just," 

But  in  the  offering,  "  God  is  love." 

The  wheaten  corn  which  falls  and  dies, 
In  autumn's  plenty  richly  waves  ; 
So,  from  the  loathsome  place  of  graves, 

With  Christ,  our  elder,  we  may  rise. 


vMhw^H^^mMh^^^^j,^^^^^ 


-?*=£  - 


^»=^-^^=^-^^^=- 


- 


68  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

From  death  comes  life.     The  hand  of  God 
This  direst  curse  to  good  transforms  ; 
So  purest  air  is  born  of  storms ; 
So  bursts  the  harvest  from  the  clod. 

The  highest  benedictions  hide 
Where  sacrifice  is  pure  and  true  ; 
And  our  poor  self-denials,  too, 

If  done  for  Christ,  in  him  abide. 

But  hark  !  the  trouble  breaks  in  prayer, 
As  billows  on  the  patient  beach  ! 
O  tell  us,  Jesus,  how  to  reach 

The  marvel  and  the  comfort  there  ! 


Some  brave  ones,  who  thy  name  confessed, 
Have  tossed  away  their  lives  in  sport, 
And  gone  to  death,  as  kings  to  court, 

And  hailed  him  with  wild  words  of  jest. 


But  we  this  high  excitement  lack, 

And  shrink  from  pain,  and  droop  in  loss, 
And  only  want  to  bear  the  cross, 

When  Thou  hast  placed  it  on  the  back. 

And  Thou  our  pattern  art,  not  they ; 

And  thou  hast  wept :  then  we  may  grieve 
Some  joy  to  lose,  some  friend  to  leave, 

Into  the  darkness  gone  away. 


S  ABBA  TH  CHIMES. 


69 


Wlien  all  life's  light  is  in  eclipse, 

"  O,  if  thou  canst,  my  Father,  spare  ! " 
These  accents  of  thy  garden-prayer 

Will  quiver  from  imploring  lips. 

But  if  the  cup  from  which  we  shrink 
Thou  dost  forbid  to  pass  away, 
Then  help  us  from  the  heart  to  say, 

"  My  Father  wills  it,  I  must  chink." 

Braver  to  feel  "  Thy  will  be  done," 
Because  we  first  had  cried  aloud : 
We  see  the  rainbow  in  the  cloud, 

We  know  bevond  it  shines  the  sun. 


i >».>-_  - 


70 


SA  BBA  Til    CHIMES. 


Easter* 


i. 


Very  early  in  the  morning  they  came  to  the  sepulchre.  .  .  .  "Why  seek 
ye  the  living  among  the  dead?  He  is  not  here,  but  is  risen.— Lukh 
xxiv.  1.  5,  6. 


[S      ulv  morn.     ••Come,  cross  the  brook, 
The  Kedron  He  so  lately  crossed, 
In  hope — 'tis  all  we  can — to  look 

Once  more  upon  the  '  Loved  and  Lost.' 


. 


-  These  smiling  flowers,  by  spring  arrayed, 
The  winter  of  our  grief  renew  ; 

For  in  the  tomb,  where  Christ  is  laid, 
Our  faith,  alas !  is  buried  too. 

"  '  TVe  trusted,' — 'twas  a  pleasant  dream, 
By  rudest  waking  overthrown, — 

k  That  He  our  Israel  would  redeem,1 
And,  peerless,  reign  on  Salem's  throne. 

"  That  hope  is  gone :  but  memory  cleaves 

In  blissful  trance  to  Jesus  yet, 
And  through  her  tears  still  sits  and  weaves 

The  past  into  one  long  regret. 


.a  iV^  -   "fc 


£  A  BBATH  CII I  ME  S. 


71 


"  Come  where  those  funeral  olives  wave,— 
The  city  sleeps,  the  mora  is  fair  ; — 

Love  yearns  to  see  the  garden-grave — 
Come,  let  us  weep  and  worship  there." 


Thus,  as  their  mighty  sorrow  spoke, 
Forth  the  true-hearted  women  went : 

Then  the  unhoped-for  morning  broke 
Upon  their  night  of  discontent. 


Not  always  bending  o'er  the  urn 

Of  missed  and  mourned  ones  should  we  lie  ; 
When  sorrow  doth  to  duty  turn, 

Strong  consolation  waiteth  by. 


Grieving  for  Christ  all  griefs  above, 
Who  by  the  grave  stand,  meek  and  dumb, 

With  troubled  faith,  but  constant  love, 
To  them  the  visioned  angels  come. 

Hark  !  how  the  sounds  their  hearts  revive ! 

"  Not  here,  but  risen,"  as  he  said ; 
"  The  Lord  ye  love  is  yet  alive — 

Why  seek  the  living  'inong  the  dead  ? " 

Glad  news  !  and  not  alone  for  those 
Who  gathered  round  that  sacred  place  ; 

Like  some  rich  river's  song  it  flows ; 
A  gospel  for  a  ruined  race. 


:^u^<4^^^N^® 


1 


f 


7i/  SABBATH     CHIMES. 

O.  oft  from  out  the  darkest  mine 
A  costlier  gem  the  toiler  bears : 

O.  oft  the  heavenliest  hope  can  shine, 
Struck  from  the  heart  of  old  despairs. 

Jesus  is  risen  !     Silent  now. 

Xot  frantic,  are  the  tears  we  weep 
O'er  glazing  eye.  and  marble  brow. 

And  dear  ones  in  the  dreamless  sleep. 

Jesus  is  risen  !     The  fight  is  o'er : 

Death  to  his  own  destruction  hurled  ; 

Man  from  the  heaven  is  barred  no  more 
Easter  hath  dawned  upon  the  world. 


-..~=-,^.._  ■=  _  ,--_.-.. 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


73 


Easter, 


ii. 

Ther  returned,  and  prepared  spices  and  ointments;   and  rested  the 
Sabbath  day.  according  to  the  commandment. — Luke  xxiii,  56. 


-WHEREFORE  should  those  hands  of  love 

Their  fragrant  work  forbear  ? 
2£*  Such  task  as  theirs  will  mount  above, 

Like  incense  of  a  prayer ; 
If  they  should  falter  or  suspend 
'Twere  treason  to  that  matchless  Friend, 
Who.  loving,  "  loved  them  to  the  end.*' 

Nay,  do  not  those  true  hearts  the  wrong 

Their  affluent  love  to  doubt ; 
The  heart-fires  which  have  burned  so  long 

Have  not  at  once  gone  out ; 
Love  born  of  Love  forever  will 
The  life  with  generous  pulses  fill, 
Surviving  scorn,  and  shame,  and  ill. 

"  They  rested,"  as  did  He,  when  first, 

Obedient  to  his  hand, 
The  light  on  formless  darkness  burst, 

And  at  his  high  command 
Celestial  beauty  clothed  the  wild, 
And  stars  in  ordered  courses  smiled 
On  earth — God's  work  :  and  man — his  child. 
7 


- 


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- 


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74.  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

"  They  rested," — 'twas  a  higher  law 
Which  bade  them  thus  delay, 

And  moved  their  ling'ring  feet  to  draw 
From  that  new  tomb  away ; 

God  spake  the  broad  command  before,— 

"  Duty  than  sacrifice  is  more ; 

Better  to  serve  than  to  deplore." 

"  Spices  and  ointments," — priceless  these 

Poor  symbols  of  regard ; 
And  He  who  reads  the  human  sees, 

Nor  fails  he  to  reward ; 
But  love  hath  struck  its  deepest  chord, 
When,  rather  than  embalm  the  Lord, 
"  They  rested,"  to  obey  his  word. 

"  They  rested,"  thoughtless  of  the  meed 

The  first  day's  morn  would  bring ; 
Nor  dreamed  that  from  such  painful  seed 

Such  harvest  e'er  could  spring ; 
When  lo  !  upon  their  doubting  eyes 
Forth  flashed  the  Easter's  rare  surprise, — 
"  Jesus  is  risen — ye  shall  rise." 


"  They  rested."     God's  will  is  the  best, 

And  resurrection  nears, 
When  quiet  trust  in  mourning  breast 

Can  take  the  place  of  tears ; 
They  in  whose  hearts  proud  waters  toss, 
The  Marys,  pierced  with  keenest  loss, 
Must  not  lie  weeping  'neath  the  cross. 


'^^r^^ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


75 


1 


And  we,  who  in  this  later  time 
Their  grief  and  promise  heir, 
May  for  like  exercise  sublime 

Our  counseled  souls  prepare ; 
Eager  to  work,  but  calm  to  wait, 
Till  at  hot  noon,  or  sunset  late, 
The  pale  horse  standeth  at  the  gate. 


J 


« 


4 


76 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Easter, 


III. 

There  came  also  Nicodemus.  -which  at  the  first  came  to  Jesus  by  night, 
and  brought  a  mixture  of  myrrh  and  aloes,  about  a  hundred  pounds 
■weight. — Johx  xix,  39. 


"  S  swiftly  flies  the  startled  dove 
TThen  some  keen  danger  swoops  above. 
P  And  shelters  neath  the  friendly  eaves, 
Careless  of  all  the  joy  she  leaves  : 
By  new  and  sore  disquiet  pressed, 
So  comes  to  Christ  a  noble  guest, 
Perplexed  'twiLxt  earnestness  and  fear, 
Half  longing — half  afraid — to  hear. 


He  comes  by  night.     Xot  his  to  brook 
The  with'ring  of  the  scomer's  look, 
The  cynic  banter,  gay  and  loud. 
The  wonder  of  the  gibing  crowd. 
The  burst  of  fierce  or  haughty  spleen, 
Which  fain  would  crush  the  Xazarene ; 
Xot  daring  yet  these  storms  to  meet. 
He  comes  at  nisrht  with  stealthv  feet. 


Blame  ye  the  ruler  that  he  shrank 
From  tainted  name  and  forfeit  rank  I 
Think  ye  that  such  strong  need  of  soul 
Should  spurn  the  sense's  base  control, 


I 

f 


I 


SABBATH   CHI3IES. 

And  bear  the  victor-spirit  through, 
With  manful  haste,  to  dare  and  do, 
Accounting  all  the  world  but  loss, 
To  find  the  truth,  and  clasp  the  cross  ? 

Ah  !  think  how  faintly  you  have  borne ; 
How  oft  your  plighted  troth  forsworn  ; 
How,  when  the  flick'ring  slanders  fell, 
You  whispered  your  unkind  farewell ; 
How  you  forsook,  denied,  betrayed ; 
Foul  traitor  to  the  vows  you  made — 
And  while  these  wraiths  before  you  stand, 
Pause  ere  you  fix  the  coward's  brand. 

The  shadows  fall  of  that  dread  hour, 
"  Of  darkness"  the  supremest  "  power," 
When  in  red  clouds  the  sun  has  died, 
And  Nature  owns  the  Crucified : 
Where  are  the  bold  disciples  fled  ? 
Why  haste  they  not  to  claim  their  dead  ? 
For  while  they  nurse  their  grief  and  gloom, 
The  cowards  lay  him  in  the  tomb. 


77 


There  is  a  courage  braver  far 
Than  charges  in  the  ranks  of  war, 
Or  leaps  to  hear  the  cannon's  boom, 
Or  speeds  with  patriot  pride  to  doom. 
A  hardy  frame  of  well-knit  nerves 
The  soldier's  purpose  amply  serves, 
And  speeds  the  thinning  phalanx  on 
When  banners  trail,  and  hope  is  gone. 


f 


73  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

But  warriors  oft  have  backward  turned 
When  folly  laughed,  or  passion  burned  ; 
Scared  from  the  right  by  witling's  blame, 
Have  let  small  sneers  their  manhood  shame. 
So  on  Gilboa's  rainless  field 
The  monarch  "  casts  away  his  shield." 
So  Samson,  when  his  lusts  invite, 
Turns  craven  in  the  moral  light. 


Let  God  inspire  !  then  weak  are  strong, 
And  cowards  chant  the  battle-song ; 
He,  whose  approach  the  darkness  hides, 
Stands  fast  when  all  the  world  derides ; 
'Mid  fiercest  fires  the  generous  youth 
Is  valiant  for  the  living  truth  ; 
And,  martyred  for  the  Saviour's  sake, 
Heroic  woman  clasps  the  stake. 

We  thank  thee,  Lord !  when  thou  hast  need 

The  man  aye  ripens  for  the  deed ; 

And  thou  canst  make  the  timid  bold 

To  shed  his  fears  as  dross  from  gold ; 

And,  nerved  from  heaven,  nor  droop  nor  quail, 

Though  worlds  confront,  and  hell  assail. 

O  breathe,  in  this  and  every  hour, 

On  each,  on  me,  this  soul  of  power  ! 


m 


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SABBATH  CHIMES. 


79 


Easter, 


f 


IV. 


Then  said  some  of  his  disciples  among  themselves,  What  is  this  that  he 
saith  unto  us,  A  little  while,  and  ye  shall  not  see  me :  and  again,  a  little 
while,  and  ye  shall  see  me  :  and,  because  I  go  to  the  Father  ?  They  said 
therefore,  What  is  this  that  he  saith,  A  little  while  ?  we  cannot  tell  what 
he  saith. — Johx  xvi,  17,  18. 


^HAT  is  it  that  He  saith  ? 
That  He,  who  our  deep  love  so  oft  hath  bidden 
To  cling  and  gather  round  him,  must  be  hidden 
From  all  but  faith  ? 


That,  through  the  haj>py  days, 
"We  shall  be  no  more  tranced  with  wondrous  story, 
Nor  see  God's  love  and  man's  blend,  like  a  glory, 
Whene'er  we  gaze  ? 

Not  to  behold  him,  when 
We  longed  and  hoped  to  see  him  sceptered  rather ; 
And  only  when  he  "  goeth  to  the  Father," 
See  him  again  ? 

"  A  little  while  !"  to  gain 
The  knowledge  to  o'er-master  life  and  sorrow, 
And  then  to  languish  in  one  hopeless  morrow 


Qf  lengthening  pain 


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SABB A  TH    CHIME S. 


A  while  !  and  then  the  end  ? 
One  flash,  and  then  the  utter  dark,  forever ; 
How  the  poor  heart-strings  ache  in  the  endeavor 
To  comprehend  ! 


We  know  not  what  he  saith  ! 
His  words  are  riddles,  true  and  tender  mostly  ; 
There  runs  a  shudd'ring  through  them,  like  some  ghostly 
Shadow  of  death. 

We  too,  ask,  What  is  this  ? 
When  o'er  some  ruined  hope  we  weep  and  wonder, 
Or  when  some  spirit-summons  bids  us  sunder 
From  all  our  bliss. 


What !  called  so  soon  to  part 
With  fortune's  rapture,  and  with  love's  caressing, 
With  all  those  dews  of  life  which  fill  in  blessing 
On  the  parched  heart ! 

Moan  like  the  passing  bells 
The  wail  of  weary  souls  which  linger,  aching ; 
The  hollow  sound  of  all  life's  music,  breaking 
In  sad  farewells. 

A  while  !  a  little  while ! 
Sigh  of  crushed  hearts,  in  homes  bereft  and  lonely, 
For  one  brief  holiday  of  summer  only 

Able  to  smile. 


i 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

O  for  the  power  to  rest ! 
Till  to  each  soul  God  whispers  his  revealing, 
Calming,  as  rain  on  waves,  each  angered  feeling, 
"  What  is,  is  best." 


81 


Sense  sobs  o'er  graves,  and  mourns 
Each  cypress-garland,  twined  for  love's  undoing  ! 
Faith — a  bright  prophet — sees  its  youth  renewing 
Within  the  urns. 

For  though  the  loved  ones  died 
In  slow  decay,  or  scathed  by  swifter  lightning  ; 
'Twas  but  that  in  a  noon-tide,  ever  brightening, 
They  might  abide. 


Hj 


I 


Faith  always  sees  them  now, 
Because  they  are  within  the  Father's  presence, 
And  endless  youth,  of  heaven  the  radiant  essence, 
Brightens  each  brow. 

8 


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2*&s,'«? 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Easter, 


v. 


The  time  cometh  when  I  shall  no  more  speak  unto  you  in  proverbs,  but  1 
shall  show  you  plainly  of  the  Father. — John  xvi,  25. 

A  S  travelers  o'er  some  darksome  waste 
Their  blind  and  perilous  progress  urge, 
^m  And  fear  to  stay,  and  fear  to  haste, 
\jM      While  mists  hang  o'er  the  mountain's  verge ; 
And  earth  is  wrapt  in  midnight  shroud, 
Or  some  faint  streak  of  moonlight  struggles  through  the 
cloud; 


As  children,  guessing  day  by  day 

Life's  many  riddles,  new  and  strange ; 
Before  whom  pass,  as  in  a  play, 
All  motley  characters  of  change  ; 
Some,  monstrous,  filling  with  affright, 
Some  waking  each  new  power  in  credulous  delight ; 


i 


So,  wildered  traveler,  wondering  child, 

Each  soul  its  way  through  life  inquires, 
Now  lost  in  moorland,  now  beguiled 
By  passion's  dancing  meteor  fires  ; 
Longing  itself  to  understand, 
And  feeling,  like  the  blind,  for  some  near  guiding  hand. 


■^^^^i^^^^M^*^ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

We  strive,  and  profit  not  with  strife ; 
Are  weary  with  our  torturing  woe ; 
The  passionate  secret  of  all  life 
"We  only  guess,  we  long  to  Tcnow. 
More  light !  O  from  what  depths  we  cry, 
Let  the  white  truth  blaze  on  us  ere  we  droop  and  die  ! 


83 


For  now  we  .blindly  fear  and  love, 

By  partial  knowledge  lured  astray, 
Nor  deem  those  woodland  boughs  above, 

'Neath  which  we  stroll  through  summer's  day, 
In  such  a  wanton  fullness  twine, 
They  shut  out  from  our  eyes  the  blue  of  heaven  divine. 


T 


Our  nature  does  not  bound  our  want ; 
And  stunned  by  this  perpetual  roar, 
Poor  baffled  ones  !  we  sob  and  pant, 
And  sigh  for  some  eternal  shore  ; 
Each  heart  chafes  like  a  moaning  sea ; 
And  who  shall  still  its  storm  ?  our  Father,  who  but  thee  ? 


But  from  a  happy  place  shine  out 

Rays  of  a  large  majestic  hope, 
And  a  Christ's  voice,  rebuking  doubt, 
Gives  to  our  faith  its  widest  scope  : 
"  No  more  in  proverbs  will  I  speak, 
But  plainly  show  your  hearts  the  Father  whom  ye  seek." 


■^  JsJ 


84- 


.^ABBATH  CHIMES. 


'Tis  morning  now  !  the  dark  hath  fled, 
Scared  by  the  venturous  dawn  away. 
More  light !  see  how  the  glorious  red 
Breaks  on  the  soul  and  brings  the  day  ! 
"  We  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord," 
And  in  heaven's  endless  noon  shall  find  our  rich  reward. 


SABBATH  CRIMES. 


8b 


Easter* 


VI. 

Ye  shall  receive  power,  after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  has  come  upon  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  witnesses  unto  me. — Acts  i,  8. 

{&  c&  ORD,  wilt  thou  now  the  throne  restore, 
And  raise  our  Israel  from  the  dust  ? 
^J^ff  Brave  words !  which  seemed  as  if  they  bore 
Naught  meaner  than  the  patriot  trust. 

But  He  who  knows  how  subtle  stains, 
As  breath  on  mirrors,  mar  the  mind, 

Unbraids  each  motive's  tangled  skeins, 
And  shows  the  lust  which  lurks  behind. 

■  "  Ye  shall  have  power."     The  answer  probes 

The  longing  of  each  heart  in  turn  ; 
Knew  he  that  'neath  those  peasant-robes 

Desires  for  thrones  were  wont  to  burn  ? 

"  Ye  shall  have  power ;  "  but  not  of  kings, 
Or  those  who  march  through  blood  to  fame  • 

"  The  power  the  dove-like  Spirit  brings 
To  witness  through  the  world  my  Name." 


1 


O  waking  rude  from  pompous  dream  ! 

No  loud  acclaim,  no  judge's  throne, 
No  laurels,  won  amid  the  gleam 

Of  serried  ranks,  and  foes  o'erthrown. 


86 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


a 


! 


Not  these !  but  triumphs  nobler  far 

Than  bards  have  sung,  or  wealth  has  priced ; 

To  bring,  as  Magi  to  the  star, 
The  vassal-world  to  bow  to  Christ ! 

The  gift  of  power  !  not  surely  poured 
The  heart's  imperious  pride  to  feed, 

Nor  yet  for  selfish  ends  to  hoard, 
As  wealth  inflames  a  miser's  greed. 

For  vaunt  and  avarice  shear  the  hair, 

In  which  the  Samson's  valor  lies, 
And  force  him,  in  his  blind  despair, 

To  play  the  mime  to  heathen  eyes. 

Men  may  not  rest,  though  sleep  be  sweet, 

With  'wild'ring  dreams  which  mount  to  heaven ; 

For  God  hath  need  of  tireless  feet, 

Forth  on  the  soul's  strong  purpose  driven. 


I 
J 


I 


Life  is  too  short  for  holy  trance, 
While  ruin  round  us  works  its  woe ; 

On  Tabor's  crest  the  glory-glance 
But  nerved  for  sterner  strife  below. 

Well  might  the  angels  court  eclipse 
Of  all  heaven's  brightness  for  a  space, 

In  barter  for  those  witness-lips 

Which  burn  with  news  of  gospel-grace  ! 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


m 


And  we  are  heirs  of  work  so  high, 
So  rounded  with  all  thoughts  of  bliss, 

That  minstrels  of  the  upper  sky 

Have  learned  no  chant  so  sweet  as  this. 


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SABBATH   CHIMES. 


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VII. 

Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled :  ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me. 

— John  xiv,  1. 
Why  are  ye  troubled  ?  and  why  do  thoughts  arise  in  your  hearts  ? 

— Luke  xxiv,  38. 


LOSER  to  Christ  the  loved  ones  grew, 
^TW,  The  world  seemed  heaven  when  he  was  nigh ; 
Their  raptured  life  no  future  knew, 
yyO^   Nor  dreamed  they  one  so  loved  could  die  ; 
And  when  he  spoke  of  parting,  O  !  the  quail 
And  stoop  of  the  bruised  heart,  as  stunned  by  mighty  hail. 


Like  the  stern  silence,  dread  as  death, 

'Twixt  lightning-flash  and  thunder-peal ; 
So  sudden  grief,  which  held  the  breath, 
But  strung  the  boding  sense  to  feel ; 
And  on  the  giddy  brain,  like  funeral  knells, 
Beat  heavy,  all  in  one,  a  life-time  of  farewells. 

But  on  that  silence,  drear  and  blank, 

Fell  looks  of  love  and  words  of  cheer ; 
As  tears  of  eve,  on  daisied  bank, 
Fall  in  the  childhood  of  the  year  ; 
"Let  not  your  hearts  be  troubled  :  ye  believe 
In  God,  believe  in  me."     Faith  cannot  hopeless  grieve. 


.K^^^^^^^^.y^  h^^S^^^^^ 


SABBATH    CHIMES.  89 

Again  they  met.     The  tragic  hour 

With  life-long  -wound  their  hearts  had  scarred, 
But  memory  held — the  orphan  s  dower — 
The  likeness  of  the  "  visage  marred." 
"With  doors  shut  on  the  world,  in  upper  room, 
They  spoke,  now  of  lost  hope,  now  of  forsaken  tomb. 


They  brooded  in  a  wayward  grief 

Which  wrestled  with  a  trembling  love  ; 
Vassals  of  giant  unbelief, 
Dark  ning  their  loftiest  thoughts  above  : 
When  on  their  sight  a  radiant  Presence  came, 
And  a  remembered  yoice  seemed  breathing  each  one's  name. 


O  strange  that  when  our  blessings  come 

We  scarce  can  pierce  their  vailed  disguise  ! 
They  stood  affrighted  all  and  dumb, 
As  if  joy  smote  their  aching  eyes 
With  blindness  ;  till  the  words  a  calmness  made, 
'Tis  I — whv  are  ve  troubled  (  whv  vour  thoushts  afraid ' 


Two  soothing  words  !     The  grave  between. 
Who  can  withstand  the  appealing  grace  ! 
It  stilled  the  sorrow  that  had  been 
By  sight  of  that  familiar  face, 
"Which,  ere  they  yet  had  broken  on  the  soul, 
Spoke  to  the  waters  proud — "  But  thus  far  shall  ye  roll." 


Before  and  after  death  alike, 

He  bids  us  cease  our  trouble  yet ; 
Nor  sword  can  pierce,  nor  anguish  strike 
The  sealed  on  whom  His  is  set. 
Teach  us  the  lesson,  Lord !  at  once  to  flee. 
From  trouble  into  faith — from  wavering  faith  to  thee. 


HHd 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


91 


WMtsuaticta 


Go  to,  let  us  go  down,  and  there  confound  their  language. 

— Genesis  xi,  7. 
We  do  hear  them  speak  in  our  tongues  the  wonderful  works 

of  God. — Acts  ii,  11. 


>  TATELY  on  Shinar's  ancient  plain 
Uprose  a  mighty  thought  in  stone 
The  thinkers  scoffed  in  pure  disdain 
Of  forces  mightier  than  their  own. 
Full  many  a  moon  had  waxed  and  waned, 
Full  many  a  brain  and  hand  had  striven, 
To  pile  a  tower,  which,  unrestrained 

By  bound  or  bar,  should  smite  the  heaven. 


For  Thought  had  brooded  calm  and  long, 

And  grew  of  its  own  offspring  proud ; 
And  Labor  brought  his  sinews  strong, 

And  Art  her  children — cunning-browed ; 
And  deathless  "Will  and  deathless  Pride 

Bade  scorn  the  earth,  and  brave  the  sky, 
Till  they,  who  all  their  peers  outvied, 

Should  now  with  their  Creator  vie. 


■>W^>W-  ■-  ..^-^=, 


92 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Then  came  the  injured  Godhead  down, 

And  cursed  them  with  an  alien  speech ; 
And  from  the  thunder  of  his  frown 

Afar  they  wandered — each  from  each. 
But  in  the  curse  a  blessing  lurked ; 

From  baffled  language  nations  grew ; 
And  thus  the  wrath  of  Heaven  hath  worked 

The  purpose  of  its  mercy  too. 


Years  rolled  away.     Three  empires  vast 

Had  queened  and  faded,  one  by  one  ; 
A  fourth  had  reached  its  prime,  and  cast 

The  purple  of  its  setting  sun ; 
When,  as  a  whirlwind  from  the  north 

Awes  the  bowed  forest  in  its  ire, 
Twelve  chosen  men  came  boldly  forth, 

With  hearts  of  faith  and  "tongues  of  fire. 


No  haughty  Cesars  from  their  thrones 

With  cohort  fierce  and  lictor's  rod ; 
These  have  no  weapons,  save  the  tones 

Of  voices  strong  with  words  of  God. 
But  to  men's  hearts  those  voices  leap, 

And  pierce  through  all  their  guarded  lies, 
Till,  like  a  world  aroused  from  sleep, 

They  feel  the  baptism  of  the  skies. 


They  come  from  far — from  sunny  shores, 
Which  o'er  the  proud  iEgean  smile ; 

From  regions  where  th'  Orontes  pours 
Through  the  rich  plain  for  many  a  mile  ; 


g^h  -^^^^^  - 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


93 


A  motley  crowd  of  diverse  name  ! 

But  on  each  startled  list  ner  rung, 
Impetuous  from  the  lips  of  flame, 

God's  wonders  in  his  native  tongue. 

Thus  Love  can  every  doom  reverse, 

Restore  the  good  long  mourned  as  lost, 
E'en  as  the  ancient  Babel's  curse 

Died  at  the  breath  of  Pentecost. 
And  teeming  brain  and  lissom  hand, 

By  breath  of  heavenly  grace  controlled, 
May  work  and  win,  at  God's  command, 

More  than  the  builders  dreamt  of  old. 

O  for  the  lambent  fire  to  fall, 

To  purge  the  vile,  the  weak  to  nerve  ! 
So  when  the  clarion-voices  call 

We  shall  be  meet  to  build  or  serve. 
Come,  Holy  Ghost !  with  cleansing  power. 

When  thou  from  pride  our  hearts  hast  shriven, 
Then,  blameless,  Ave  may  rear  the  tower, 

Whose  topmost  stone  shall  reach  to  heaven. 


^^^^^5^ 


94 


SA  BB  A  TH    CHIME S. 


Tnmttj* 


Through  Him  we  both   have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father, 
Ephesians  ii,  IS. 

TATHER  !  from  all  things  marred  and  base 
In  this,  our  darkling  dwelling-place, 
We  lift  our  eyes  to  seek  thy  face. 

We  wait  thy  sov'reign  will  to  learn, 

Our  life  thy  favor  fain  would  earn, 

Our  hearts  for  thy  sweet  soothing  yearn. 


1 


For  thee  the  bending  nations  groan ; 
So  wild,  so  strong  their  wailing  tone, 
No  voice  can  hush  them  but  thine  own. 


For  there  is  naught  that  satisfies 
In  "refuges  of"  builded  "  lies  ;" 
The  earth  hath  failed.     Men  ask  the  skies. 


The  world  is  full  of  doubt  and  jar, 
Red-handed  hate  and  wasteful  war ; 
All  mail  hath  dint ;  all  flesh  hath  scar. 


^^§^r4^4^^-^ 


**H$ 


S^^^^? 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 

And  thought  is  rebel ;  and  desire 
Alternate  smolders  and  leaps  higher, 
Like  some  half-dead  volcano's  fire. 

E'en  as  for  rain  the  cedars  pant, 
E'en  as  the  harts  the  brooklets  haunt ; 
Men  heave  and  throb  with  mighty  want. 

We  covet  knowledge.  Keen  our  guess 
When  mysteries  oft,  or  questions  press ; 
Until  we  ache  from  weariness. 

We  faint  with  thirst.     We  die  unseen. 
All  truth  hath  but  the  mirage  been, 
False  as  the  fabled  Hippocrene. 

The  rival  systems  bend  their  brows, 
Eager  their  zealot  prides  to  rouse. 
We  know  not  where  to  pay  our  vows. 

Then  from  the  search  we  recreant  flee  ; 

Still  chafing  like  a  hungry  sea, 

That  we  may  reach  Thy  throne  and  Thee. 

But  as  the  passionate  currents  flow, 
They  break  upon  one  strand  of  woe, 
Moaning  the  unknown  God  to  know. 

O  Lord  !  thou  must  thyself  declare  ! 
We  may  not  climb  on  broken  stair 

Of  faultless  creed  or  formal  praver. 
10 


97 


^afr^SS 


98 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Encumbered  with  our  earthly  load, 
We  cannot  tread  the  star-strewn  road, 
Which  leads  to  thy  divine  abode. 


Show  us  Thyself!  none  else  prevail. 
Earth's  mightiest  with  the  effort  fail, 
And  tremor  shakes  the  seraph's  vail. 

Droopiog  and  furled  each  angel-wing  ; 
The  silenced  elders  cease  to  sing ; 
All  heaven  is  hushed  before  the  King- 


God  only  can  of  God  proclaim, 
Without  presumptuous  guilt  and  blame, 
The  glories  of  the  hidden  name. 


But  Love  hath  sent  the  Son  to  bleed, 
And  th'  Eternal  Spirit  to  plead ; 
God-fumished,  for  our  creature  need. 


No  longer  must  the  poorest  pine. 
The  gulf  is  bridged.     The  light  divine 
Broods  o'er  the  lowliest  human  shrine. 

The  holiest  is  no  longer  pent 

From  mortal  view.     The  vail  is  rent. 

God  comes  to  every  pilgrim's  tent. 

Father !  we  bless  thee  thou  hast  bowed, 
For  us,  with  thy  rich  grace  endowed, 
The  vailing  heavens,  and  scattered  cloud. 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


99 


O  Saviour  dear !  we  fain  would  tell, 
In  lip  and  life's  hosanna-swell, 
Thy  praises,  blest  Iinrnanuel ! 

And,  in  coequal  praise,  repeat 
Our  life-long  worship  at  thy  feet, 
Divine  and  gracious  Paraclete  ! 

One  God  in  Persons  three  !  We  pour 
In  heaven's  full  cup  our  meaner  store, 
And  silent  in  thy  light  adore. 


100 


SABBATH    CHI 31  US. 


■. 


Trimttj* 
ii. 

Then  said  I,  Woe  is  me !  for  I  am  undone ;  because  I  am  a  man  of 
unclean  lips,  and  I  dwell  in  the  midst  of  a  people  of  unclean  lips:  for 
mine  eyes  have  seen  the  King,  the  Lord  of  hosts.— Isaiah  vi,  5. 


'PON  the  temple's  glittering  floors 
pure,  unwonted  radiance  pours ; 
On  court  and  column  downward  rolled 
The  gathering  waves  of  glory  break  ; 
Till  all  things  from  their  luster  take 
Or  hues  of  things  divine,  or  shapes  of  heavenly  mold. 


Prostrate,  as  if  the  blaze  had  drowned 
All  other  sense  of  sight  or  sound, 

The  prophet  lay  in  sudden  swoon ; 
As  Eastern  travelers,  when  they  press 
Through  the  vast,  palmless  wilderness, 
Faint  'neath  the  angry  sun,  or  breath  of  fierce  simoon. 


What  fearful  sacrilege  hath  pressed 
Upon  that  bowed,  remorseful  breast  ? 

What  nameless  memory  cleft  the  stroke 
While  in  the  fretted  arches'  gleam 
Waved  the  bright  wings  of  seraphim, 
And  from  celestial  choirs  the  triple  praises  broke. 


I 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


101 


It  is  no  sullen  priest  of  Baal 

Who  smites  the  breast  and  lifts  the  wail ; 

The  holiest  man,  the  boldest  seer, 
Whose  words  the  faithless  people  scathed, 
Whose  lips  in  fire  divine  were  bathed, 
God's  child — God's  prophet — lies  in  anguish  here. 


f 


"Woe  !  woe  is  me  !  unclean,  undone  ! 
O  hide  me  from  yon  flaming  sun  ! 

For  God  hath  burst  upon  my  sight ; 
And  in  that  vision  stands  confessed 
The  vileness  of  my  prided  best ; 
As  sunbeams  show  all  faults  within  their  line  of  light. 


"  Sin  lurks  in  my  distempered  zeal, 
And  mars  the  off'ring  when  I  kneel 

Bending  in  lowliest  orison  ; 
I  thought  my  prophet-lips  were  clean, 
But  I  the  Lord  of  Hosts  have  seen, 
And  blench  and  tremble  in  the  pureness  of  the  throne." 


! 


Not  thus  when  new-born  Adam  roved 
In  that  fair  virgin  Eden,  groved 

In  loveliest  harmony  of  shade  ; 

Then  earthly  could  with  heavenly  blend, 

And  man  could  talk  with  God,  as  friend 

Looks  into  dear  friend's  face,  nor  knows  to  feel  afraid. 


^.; 


IM^^^M^  V^^HMH£ 


102  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

All !  it  is  thus  the  primal  fall 
Hath  visited  and  cursed  us  all. 

Our  eyes  for  heavenly  scenes  are  dim ; 
And,  'wildered,  as  in  mortal  trance, 
We  shiver  at  th'  Almighty's  glance, 
And  only  through  the  cloud  can  bear  to  look  on  him. 


In  pure  hearts  faith  is  ever  young  ; 
'Tis  from  our  sin  our  fear  hath  sprung, 

And  made  unmeet  with  God  t'  abide  ; 
Sinless,  with  wishful  look  and  long, 
We  should  greet  God  at  even-song, 
Nor  from  divine  approach  in  bowers  of  Eden  hide. 


And  yet  some  blessed  symbols  wait 
With  hope  to  cheer  the  desolate. 

The  angel  from  the  altar  flies, 
Eager  with  touch  of  burning  coal 
To  heal  and  cleanse  the  leprous  soul ; 
Type  of  that  blood  divine  which  all  salvation  buys. 


O,  not  in  anger  to  consume  ! 
Rather  to  teach,  to  bless,  t'  illume, 

The  lambent  glories  downward  shine. 
While,  to  dispel  each  ling'ring  doubt, 
The  fire  atoning  ne'er  goes  out, 
Symbol  of  sin  confessed,  and  expiate'  wrath  divine. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


108 


Crushed  'neath  the  silence  of  rebuke, 
We  see  that  flame,  and  upward  look 

Within  each  consecrated  fane  ; 
So  we  with  seraph-lips  may  vie, 
And  "  Holy,  holy,  holy,"  cry, 
Till  our  poor  psalm  shall  blend  with  loftier  angel-strain. 


H$>         ^^u&^^^^H1  > 


i;^ 


8  ABB  ATM    CHIMB  S. 


* 


III. 


H';.w  great  is  Hi?   goodness,  and  how  great  is   His  beauty. 
— Zechaeiah  ix.  IT. 

-rth  is  full  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord.— Psalm  Yxviii,  5. 


:HERE  are  who  say  the  world  is  drear, 
A  baffling  maze  of  sin  and  pains. 
Where  mortals  eronch  in  'wild'ring  fear. 
And  death  o'er  every  homestead  reigns ; 


A  world  where  myriad  voices  scorn. 
And  myriad  cavils  mock  reply : 

And  myriad  men,  to  trouble  borru 
Exist  to  toil,  and  grieve,  and  die. 

But  earth  is  not  a  place  of  tombs. 

In  spite  of  all  that  cynics  say. 
For  God  hath  shed  forth  balms  and  blooms 

To  heal  the  plague  and  scent  the  way. 

And  tribute  rich  and  ample  hoard 
Bear  witness  to  rebuke  the  wrong ; 

And  Xature  vindicates  her  Lord 
In  buovant  life  and  woodland  song. 


-        a 


I 


J 


u 


BMh* 


■^     t.  v  ^c     ^^r-ggr 


:[ 


I 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 

On  the  same  soil  the  harvest  waves. 

Into  whose  heart  the  tempest  wore  ; 
And,  while  men  bend  by  wintry  graves, 

The  swift  spring  hastes  to  grass  them  o'er. 

So,  wandering  on  the  solemn  hills, 

Which  look  upon  some  boundless  plain. 

Besprent  with  flowers,  and  gay  with  rills, 
Which  laugh  like  things  unused  to  pain ; 

Or  gazing  on  some  landscape  large. 

"With  glade,  and  stream,  and  silent  tower. 
While  from  the  far  horizon's  marge 

Swells  the  old  sea's  great  sound  of  power  ; 


107 


A  presence  seems  to  lurk  in  each  ; 

And.  like  a  gospel  pure  and  kind, 
Their  silence,  eloquent  as  speech. 

Hath  lessons  to  the  listening  mind, 


Of  comfort,  learned  froni  cottage  tires ; 

Of  peace,  from  Xature's  dreamless  rest ; 
Of  faith,  from  heaven-pointing  spires  ; 

Of  endless  life,  from  ocean's  breast  ; 

Of  sweet  communion  with  the  dead, — 
(The  precious  living  loved  not  less. 

For  they  the  golden  streets  who  tread 
Watch  not  to  envy,  but  to  bless  ;) — 


^#^^H^#^#^^^^ 


10S  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Taught  by  the  way  the  still  earth  leans, 
Half-wearied,  on  the  clasping  sky, 

Like  some  sly  child,  who,  ling'ring,  means 
To  claim  close  favors  by  and  by ; 


Of  duty,  taught  by  each  fair  thing, 
Which  works  its  Maker's  high  desire, 

By  streams  which  flow  and  birds  which  sing, 
And  know  not  to  repine  nor  tire ; 


! 


Of  God — for  all  the  landscape  fair, 
The  azure  heaven,  the  cloudlet  dim, 

The  rip'ning  fields,  the  moorland  bare, — 
All  have  a  word  to  speak  for  Him. 


O  for  an  inner  ear,  to  hark 

Each  whisper  of  this  under-song  ! 

O  for  brave  will,  to  learn  and  mark, 
And  grow  for  grief  or  service  strong  ! 


^^^^M^^^^^^H 


•i 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


109 


Trinity. 


IV. 

There  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  that 
repenteth. — Luke  xy,  10. 

pV  :HERE  are  would  earth  and  heaven  divorce, 
And  sunder  every  tie 
■^      Which  binds  our  sphere,  in  mystic  force, 
To  that  tar  throne  beyond  the  course 
Of  orbs  in  yonder  sky. 

And  skeptics,  white  with  angry  foam, 

Their  scornful  lips  have  curled ; 
Deriding  those  who  fain  would  roam 
To  find,  and  fill  with  hopes  of  home, 
This  orphan  of  a  world. 

Not  thus  the  pitying  angels  lean 

From  their  calm  seats  above ; 
They  watch  with  kindly  eyes  and  keen, 
And  long  some  struggling  soul  to  screen 

In  ministry  of  love. 

Heaven  loves  the  ruined  to  redeem ; 

As  noblest  hearts  below 
Light  up,  with  tenderest  vigil-gleam, 
O'er  those  whose  rlatt'rino-  childhood's  dream 


^B^^S^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


110  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

For  Love  is  full  of  love  to  all, 

Yet  loves  the  weakest  most : 
The  one  in  peril,  or  in  thrall, 
Whose  wine  of  life  has  turned  to  gall, 
Hath  larger  share  engrossed. 

The  shepherd  will  the  flock  forsake, 

Safe  in  the  fold  abiding, 
To  wander  through  ravine  and  brake, 
Homeward  the  one  stray  lamb  to  take ; 
Nor  break  its  heart  with  chiding. 

The  sire  in  calm  emotion  dwells 

Where  quiet  home-fires  burn ; 
But  his  deep  love  in  floods  upwells 
When  from  deserted  pleasure-cells 
The  prodigals  return. 

The  stream  in  languid  ripples  flows 
In  summers  through  the  wood  ; 
But  if,  by  long  stern  winter  froze, 
Released,  in  cataract  haste  it  throws 
Its  waves  in  living  flood. 

And  sorrow  gives  to  fading  things 

A  memory  always  green ; 
As  parting  birds  have  brightest  wings ; 
As  music  over  churchyards  rings, 

And  breaks  o'er  graves  between. 


I 


I 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

O  !  if  in  hearts  forlorn  as  ours 

We  keep  the  choicest  gift, 
The  sunniest  smiles,  the  rarest  flowers, 
From  shadowed  hearts  and  j)ainful  hours 

Their  shade  and  pain  to  lift : 

The  angels,  kinder  far  than  we, 
Of  heavenlier  joy  are  heirs, 
When  from  their  thrones  they  stoop  to  see 
Some  brave  ones  battling  to  be  free 
From  sinful  curse  and  cares. 


Ill 


The  jDurest  bliss  the  angels  share 
Is  o'er  a  world  forgiven. 

O  mystery  beyond  compare  ! 

Earth's  joy  and  sorrow  vibrate  there, 
And  pity  brightens  heaven. 


0 


11?,  SABBATH  CHIMES. 


i 

f 


Trinity;* 


v. 

Fret  not  thyself  because  of  evil-doers,  neither  be  thou  envious  against 
the  workers  of  iniquity.  For  they  shall  soon  be  cut  down  like  the 
grass,  and  wither  as  the  green  herb.  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good  ; 
so  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.  De- 
light thyself  also  in  the  Lord ;  and  he  shall  give  thee  the  desires  of 
thine  heart.  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in  him  ;  and 
he  shall  bring  it  to  pass.  And  he  shall  bring  forth  thy  righteousness 
as  the  light,  and  thy  judgment  as  the  noonday. — Psalm  xxxvii,  1-6. 


JHO  would  not  learn  a  lore  like  this, 
By  some  sweet  psalmist  taught  ? 
^*H  And  rest  in  calm  content  of  bliss, 
Without  unquiet  thought  ? 

And  yet  our  restless  hearts,  perplexed 

With  secrets  strange  or  fell,    . 
And  oft  with  righteous  anger  vexed, 

Are  eager  to  rebel. 


"  Not  fret,"  when  men  of  prosperous  wrong 

In  gilded  chariots  ride ! 
When  trampled  weak  and  tyrant  strong 

On  every  hand  abide ! 


When,  now  with  rage,  and  now  with  boast, 
The  hot  world  cheats  the  way, 

And  wreckers  hoist,  on  iron  coast, 
False  lights  to  lure  astray  ! 


^HHHHHHM^NHM^HH^: 


$ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

"When  perjured  lives,  with  wasteful  prayers, 

Their  sordid  aims  can  leaven, 
As  one  should  turn  to  fiery  glares 

God's  rainbows  out  of  heaven ! 


±L3 


1 


When  wicked,  in  their  power  secure, 
God's  justice  seem  t'  arraign  ! 

Were  it  not  weakness  to  endure  ? 
Dishonor  to  refrain  ? 

Like  songs  in  storms,  the  calm  command 
Still  sounds,  "  Fret  not  thy  soul, 

Nor  wrath  nor  envy  understand 
The  mystery  of  the  whole." 


I 


Why  should  the  stately  oak  complain 
That  grass  hath  earlier  spring, 

When  centuries  yet  of  sun  and  rain 
Will  hail  the  forest  king  ? 


For  it  will  through  long  summers  hide 
The  woodland  songsters  blithe, 

When  the  frail  grasses  at  its  side 
Have  fallen  by  the  scythe. 


Wherefore  all  helpless  angers  curb, 
All  murmuring  envies  still : 

"  The  wicked,"  like  the  blasted  herb, 
"  Shall  wither"  when  He  will. 
12 


11-4  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Large  charity  will  lift  thee  soon 

To  breathe  diviner  air, 
"Where  flowers,  as  of  an  endless  June, 

The  Beulah-jrardens  bear. 


~ 


Delight  in  God  shall  make  thee  spread 
Such  influence  through  thy  gloom, 

As  when  some  hidden  violets  shed 
Their  riches  of  perfume. 

"  Commit  thou  all  thy  way  to  God," 
Then  let  the  slanderers  bark ; 

He  brings  it  forth,  who  flings  abroad 
The  noontide  from  the  dark. 


The  gem  which  decks  some  royal  hand 

In  darkness  was  impearled  ; 
And  thou  canst  wait,  that  thou  may'st  stand 

God's  own  before  the  world. 


Trittitij. 


X 


VI. 

"Wc  know  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God. 
—Romans  viii,  28. 


AITH  speaks,  while  sense  is  dumb  and  sad, 
Of  all  life's  strange  confusions  weary, 


Dreading,  though  fireside  eves  are  glad, 
i*HV*       Lest  following  morns  break  cold  and  dreary ; 
But  Faith,  with  prescient  vision  blest, 
Paints  shining  morrows  in  the  West. 


All  nature  longs  to  be  assured  ; 

Suspense  is  torture  to  the  feeling; 
The  deadliest  ill  can  be  endured 

If  trouble  be  not  past  annealing ; 
And  faith,  like  some  alchemist  old, 
Can  turn  base  metals  into  gold. 


And  God  hath  said,  "  To  loving  souls 
All  things  for  good  shall  work  together." 

From  heart  to  heart  the  promise  rolls  ; 
As  song-birds,  'mid  the  scented  heather. 

From  nest  to  nest  the  strain  prolong, 

Till  air  is  filled  with  balm  and  song. 


U.6  SABBATH  CHI  JIBS. 

'Tis  He  hath  said  it,  from  whose  hand 

Comes  all  this  bounteous  world's  providing  ; 

Whose  love  in  equal  grace  hath  planned 
A  kingdom's  or  a  sparrow's  guiding  ; 

Who  marks  the  proud  sun  when  he  sets, 

And  feeds  the  orphan  ravenlets. 


And  He  can  do  whate'er  he  wills, 
The  worlds  are  all  his  vassal-forces  ; 

Each  vast  domain  his  influence  fills, 
He  binds  the  stars  in  lambent  courses, 

And  when  the  storm  its  wildest  raves 

He  speaks  a  silence  on  the  waves. 


O  not  in  vain  doth  He  create 

Aught  from  his  affluent  love  proceeding ; 
The  meanest  hath  appointed  state, 

If  only  for  the  mightiest's  needing ; 
The  meteor  and  the  thunder-stone 
Have  use  and  mission  of  their  own. 


Christ  hath  not  to  his  people  sworn 

Blue  heavens  where  summer  glories  sparkle, 

But  foreheads  crowned,  like  his,  with  thorn, 
And  paths  where  shadowy  winters  darkle ; 

Yet  ever  hath  the  promise  stood, 

"  All  things  together  work  for  good." 


tt|tHH*NH 


SABBATH   CniJfES. 


117 


And  blessedness  is  highest  life ; 

When  God's  will  all  our  will  absorbcth ; 

As  stars  which  braved  the  midnight  strife 
Die  when  the  glorious  morning  orbeth ; 
And  when  we  feel,  "mid  throat'ning  harms, 
The  clasp  of  his  encircling  arms. 

Faith  !  rest  thou  here,  whate'er  befall : 
The  blighted  hope  ;  the  serpent-slander ; 

The  plague-swept  household  ;  or  the  call 
O'er  the  returnless  waves  to  wander. 

The  fires  which  kindle  sevenfold 

But  bum  the  dross  to  prove  the  gold. 


s  ^  •  *£* :^-.^.^  H*^    —  '■— v 


—  5 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


VII. 

Is  any  among  yon  afflicted  ?  let  him  pray.    Is  any  merry?  let  him 
sing  psalms. — Jakkb  v.  13. 

7  AXD  in  hand  through  all  our  ways 
Jot  and  sorrow  travel. 
^  Making  life  a  tangled  maze 
TTe  niav  not  unravel : 
E'er  at  work  to  build  or  mar. 
Like  unsocial  twins  they  are. 
Wreathing  smile,  or  striking  scar. 


Fleet  of  foot  and  wide  of  range. 

On  each  trav'ler  goeth : 
Like  experience  of  change 

Every  spirit  knoweth : 
Whisper  soft,  or  brawling  loud. 
Zephyr  sometimes,  sometimes  cloud 
Here  the  bridal — there  the  shroud. 


Warp  and  woof  of  many  threads 
Time  is  always  weaving ; 

Tear  to  year  he  sternly  weds. 
Heedless  of  our  grieving ; 

Blending,  in  his  ceaseless  loom. 

Joy's  bright  crimson  to  illume 

Sable  shades  of  doubt  and  doom. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


119 


When  the  sorrow  blights  our  good, 

Do  -we  chafe — repining  ? 
Or  discern,  'neath  cloak  and  hood, 

Angel  form  outshining  ? 
Swell  our  hearts  as  swells  the  tide  ? 
Do  we  in  locked  chambers  hide 
Serpent  craft  or  lion  pride  ? 

When  joy's  summer  glories  smite 
Do  they  bless  or  blind  us  ? 

Doth  the  pure  celestial  light 
Proud  or  thankful  find  us  ? 

Doth  some  brief  delirium  dupe  ? 

Brief  as  dew  in  flower-cup, 

Which  the  hot  world  drinketh  up  ? 

Blest  to  whom  God  shows  his  grace 

Hallowing  all  their  trouble ! 
Those  to  whom  his  lifted  face 

Makes  their  gladness  double  ! 
Commerce  with  the  skies  can  teach 
Gospels  beyond  common  reach — 
Blessedness  too  rare  for  speech. 

Nature  in  her  worst  imrest 

Spoken  sorrow  beareth, 
And  when  grief  is  unexpressed 

Only  then  despaireth  ; 
Hearts  will  break  which  cannot  weep ; 
Tears  repressed  from  eyelids  keep 
All  the  happy  dews  of  sleep. 


^^^^*^ 


:^^>^ 


I 

t 


120  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Winds,  which  whisper  to  the  woods. 

Joyous  hearts  resemble ; 
They  would  fain  in  gladdest  moods 

Into  language  tremble  ; 
One  can  never  quite  rejoice  ; 
"Without  some  dear  answering  voice 
Eden  hath  not  half  its  joys. 

Hearts  which  glow,  and  hearts  which  bleed, 

God  for  each  one  careth  ; 
Outlet  for  their  strongest  need 

He  for  each  prepareth ; 
In  restraint  no  longer  pent ; 
Joy  in  bursts  of  song  hath  vent ; 
Sorrow  prays,  and  is  content. 

O  for  hearts  of  liner  tone 

Help  of  Heaven  to  borrow  ! 

Be  our  joys  in  praises  shown, 
And  in  prayer  our  sorrow  : 

Till,  like  priests  for  service  stoled, 

Awed  as  radiant  clouds  unfold, 

We  shall  God  himself  behold. 


I 


• 


•=.-, 


I 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^-^^H^^e^ 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


121 


i 
I 


Trimtij. 

VIII. 

All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord;  and  thy  saints  shall  hless  thee. 
Psalm  cxlv,  10. 

?"'<#*:   HEN  art  has  grasped  some  graceful  dream, 
The  artificer's  fame  is  fed ; 
Mid  blaze  of  song  some  ling'ring  gleam 
Will  play  around  the  poet's  head. 

As  by  rare  skill,  or  rarer  gift, 

Men  their  own  meaner  glories  raise, 

Ceaseless  the  worlds  of  God  uplift 
Their  homage  of  perpetual  praise. 


* 


One  chant  of  life  and  beauty  thrills 
From  wilding  fern  and  stately  tree ; 

'Tis  thundered  from  the  solemn  hills, 
And  answered  by  th'  exulting  sea. 

Upland  the  brooklet's  music  floats, 
Each  flower-cup  bending  to  the  tune ; 

The  woodlands  from  a  hundred  throats 
Hymn  praise  beneath  the  list'ning  moon. 


The  countless  stars  which  light  the  dark, 
Tribes  that  with  life  the  greensward  leaven, 

The  air  which  vibrates,  while  the  lark 
Warbles  of  summer  and  of  heaven  ; 
13 


12% 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Each  pulse  of  light,  each  wave  of  sound, 
Each  foresight  shrewd,  each  wise  design, 

All  swell,  to  the  world's  utmost  bound, 
Praise  to  the  forming  Hand  Divine. 


Yet  is  it  all  unconscious  praise, 

Struck  from  their  nature,  not  from  them  ; 
As  some  old  summer's  buried  rays 

Flash  in  a  monarch's  diadem. 

Strong  laws  material  forces  bind, 
As  captives  held  in  prison  bars ; 

The  rev'rence  of  one  baby-mind 
Is  nobler  than  a  million  stars, 


While  fast  the  heedless  seasons  roll, 

Nor  know  the  truths  which  they  express, 

All  nature  "  praises," — but  the  soul 

Of  man — God's  image — fain  would  bless  ! 

Not  like  insensate  nature,  dumb 
Or  tuneless,  we  our  tribute  pour : 

O  priceless  privilege  !     We  may  come, 
And  "bless"  the  God  whom  we  adore ! 


1 


Talk  of  his  goodness  in  the  ways, 
And  lean  upon  his  gracious  hand ; 

Intelligently  speak  his  praise, 

And  learn  his  love  to  understand. 


^•#^=^M^^ 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Blessing  than  praise  is  more.     The  heart 
Sends  its  quick  love  to  prompt  the  tongue, 

And  all  its  happy  pulses  start 

While  the  full  spirit-psalm  is  sung. 


* 


Let  Nature  in  her  Lord  rejoice, 

Harmonous  worlds  his  praise  proclaim  ! 
We,  with  glad  heart  and  willing  voice, 

Will  "  bless  "  him  for  his  newest  Name. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Trimttf* 


IX. 

When  he  came,  lo,  Eli  sat  upon  a  seat  by  the  way-side  watching :  for 
his  heart  trembled  for  the  ark  of  God. — 1  Samuel  iv,  13. 


i 


tflTH  sightless  eyes  and  silver  hair 
An  old  man  watched  and  wept ; 

And  vexed  thoughts  wand'ring  into  prayer 
Within  him  strove  and  crept. 


He  watched,  for  now  the  warrior's  plume 

Waves  in  the  distant  war  ; 
And  clash  of  arms,  and  sound  of  doom, 

Burden  the  breeze  afar. 


t 

! 


The  way-side  wand'rers  paused  to  grieve 

For  pain  too  large  to  share, 
All  through  the  hours,  till  deep'ning  eve, 
there. 


He  still  sat  "  watching 


"  Watching,"  as  those  who  wake  till  dawn 
Lest  some  dear  sleep  be  stirred  ; 

Distrustful,  as  some  startled  fawn, 
A  strayling  from  the  herd. 


i 


Sift' 

4* 


1 
f 


; 


l 


m 


85 


J 

f 


f 


J 


SABBATH  CHUTES. 


127 


1 


Restless,  as  he  who  dreams  that  death 

His  argosy  overwhelms ; 
Timid  as  hares,  when  evening's  breath 

Murmurs  'mid  stately  elms. 

No  truant  thought  averts  the  look 
Strained  straight  toward  the  field ; 

With  one  dread  wish  to  read  the  book 
In  mercy  clasped  and  sealed. 

The  book  is  read.  The  courier  lips 
Are  white  with  wrath  of  soul, 

That  such  poor  wrecks  of  gallant  ships 
On  one  lone  strand  should  roll. 

The  patriot  bows,  like  shaken  tent, 
'Neath  blast  of  dire  disgrace  ; 

The  judge  outpours  his  sore  lament 
For  Israel's  evil  case ; 

The  father  mourns  the  curse  fulfilled, 

Long  spoken  by  the  Lord, 
And  weeps  o'er  both  his  children,  killed 

Beneath  one  cruel  sword. 

Yet  the  strong  soul  bore  nobly  up 

LTntil  the  heaviest  stroke, 
"  The  ark  is  lost."     This  filled  the  cup 

And  then  the  brave  heart  broke. 


^^$$ 


I 


.t; 


1 
1 


^ 


12$ 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


There  is  great  need  for  El  is  yet, 
As  watchers  through  the  dark, 

In  perilous  times  of  conflict  set, 
To  tremble  for  the  ark. 


Its  foes,  with  yaunt  and  valor  proud, 

Bear  it  to  Dagon's  fane, 
And  hymn  their  fancied  triumph  loud, 

AVith  many  a  frantic  strain; 


Its  friends  are  faint  when  duty  calls, 
And  droop  beneath  their  load  ; 

And  scorners  on  their  temple  walls 
Have  carven,  "  Ichabod." 

And  some  have  made  the  ark  a  shrine, 
And  some  have  woven  charms, 

That  victory  may  espy  the  sign, 
And  wait  upon  their  arms. 


And  some  have  sought  for  wizard  gift, 

Like  that  unkingly  Saul ; 
And  some,  stretched  Uzzah-hands,  to  lift 

From  an  imagined  fall. 


And  some,  with  ostentatious  tramp, 
To  warning  omens  blind, 

Have  ta'en  the  ark  into  the  camp, 
But  left  its  God  behind. 


J 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


1*9 


Watch  !  watch  !  the  subtle  peril  threats 

The  freedom  of  the  bride ; 
The  foe,  unweary,  ne'er  forgets 

His  spirit-snares  to  hide. 

Woe  worth  the  day  when  Christian  work 

Is  done  by  faithless  hands  ; 
In  traitor's  wile  more  dangers  lurk 

Than  in  Philistine  bands. 

The  watchmen  on  the  walls  can  guard 
While  marshaled  armies  wait ; 

But  vain  are  sleepless  watch  and  ward, 
If  treason  opes  the  gate. 


I 


O  for  the  strong-souled  prophets,  back 

Our  craven  souls  to  cheer  ! 
Whose  fear  of  God  constrained  the  lack 

Of  every  meaner  fear. 

To  arms  !  the  martial  shout  prolong  ; 

Unfurl  the  flag  again  ; 
Give  battle  to  the  false  and  wrong ; 

God  needeth  earnest  men. 
14 


I 


130  SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Trimttj. 
x. 

When  he  was  come  near,  he  beheld  the  city,  and  wept  over  it.— Luke  xix,  41. 


j/£g^LAJD  welcomes  float  around, 

Palrn-branclies  strew  the  ground ; 


f'^jftjog      Palm-branches  strew  the  ground ; 
"•     \  Not  only  do  the  nameless  few  S 

-' — 1       Their  plighted  vows  renew. 
Ten  thousand  hearts  shed  homage,  like  a  summer  dew. 


"  Haste !  and  your  tribute  bring ; 
Behold  our  promised  King  ! " 
Straight  each  to  each  the  tidings  tells, 
Till,  like  the  joyous  bells 

Which  ring  for  bridals,  through  Jerusalem  it  swells. 

I 

There's  trouble  on  his  brow  ; 
Why  throb  the  heart-strings  now  ? 
Now,  when  the  world's  acclaim  he  hears, 
When  seeming  triumph  nears, 
Why  do  those  kind  eyes  sadden  into  rain  of  tears  ? 

Not  for  himself  oppressed, 
Though  "marred"  above  the  rest, 
No  passion  e'er  in  him  rebelled ; 
His  heart's  fierce  storm  he  quelled, 
As,  by  imperial  law.  old  ocean's  pride  is  held. 


'^^^#^=#^«^*#^-^^#i  -*-^v 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


131 


It  was  no  selfish  woe 
Which  bade  his  tears  to  flow  ; 
But  pity,  when  the  glory  fled 
From  Sion's  sacred  head  ; 
And  sorrow,  when  he,  mourning,  gazed  on  Lazarus  dead. 

Before  him,  as  he  passed, 
Slept  the  fair  city,  glassed 
In  morning's  mirror — clear  and  gray ; 
He  saw  th'  advancing  day 
When  pomp  of  wall  and  tower  in  shapeless  ruin  lay. 

And,  vision  drearier  far 
Than  earth's  sad  ruins  are, 
Souls  which,  in  keenest  wrath  and  scorn, 
Had  him,  the  Christ,  forsworn, 
He  saw  by  headlong  hate  to  hopeless  ruin  borne. 

"  If  thou  hadst  known,  e'en  thou," 
Ere  night  had  come  ;  but  now 
No  more  the  day-star  woos  thine  eyes 
With  blush  of  orient  skies ; 
'Tis  night,  and  on  that  night  no  morn  shall  ever  rise. 

Still  through  the  circling  years 
Those  matchless,  pitiful  tears 
Speak  to  us, — as  the  covenant  sign, 
Whose  light-braids  God  doth  twine, 
Speaks   in   the   heaven, — of  love,   which'  blends   with 
power  divine. 


1 
J 

f 


1 
T 


f 


Egg*  HiN 


'^ 


'^ 


132  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

"  He  wept  "  for  our  sore  loss, 
The  tears — before  the  cross ; 
Grief  flowered  into  atoning  deed, 
He  gave  himself  to  bleed 
That  life  from  death  might  spring ;  safety  from  direst 
need. 

His  tears  our  weakness  chide. 
"  He  wept !  "  then  we  confidfe  ; 
Distrust  were  fouler  treason  still 
Against  that  loving  will, 
Which  fain  would  clasp  a  world,  and  shield  it  from 
all  ill. 


I 

X 


£ 


"  He  wept ! "  then  we  should  wail 
Our  fellows'  blight  and  ail ; 
Be  Jesus  our  high  pattern  yet ! 
Then  we  shall  ne'er  forget 
He  frankly  canceled  ours.     Now  ours  to  all  the  debt. 


f 


'^4^^4^sM^^^^4^^^^ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


18c 


XI. 


Two  men  went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray  :  the  one  a  Pharisee  and  tho 
other  a  publican. — Lukl  xviii,  10. 


^  ITH  brow  upraised,  as  one  who  sees  Ms  peers, 

From  some  tall  summit,  dwarf  to  lesser  size, 
*  Free  from  all  vulgar  awe  or  feeble  tears, 
Courting  all  eyes 


To  gaze  upon  Ms  eyes,  alight  with  pride — 

Behold  the  Pharisee  !  a  statelier  sort 
Of  man,  not  made  of  clay,  fit  to  abide 
In  temple  court, 

As  his  own  heart  assured  him.     Bound  to  thanks 

For  duty  done  and  life  enjoyed,  to  God  ; 
But  not  to  wail  o'er  sin,  like  meaner  ranks 
Of  common  clod. 

Proud  as  he  passed,  his  eye's  dilating  globe 

Fell  on  a  poor  wretch  crouching  in  the  aisle, 
And,  gathering  up  the  fringes  of  his  robe 
From  chance  defile, 


I 


Trimttj* 


* 


I 


i> 


134-  SABBATH  CHI3IES. 

He  to  the  altar  strode  with  lordly  scorn, 

And  spoke  his  thanks  to  self  and  God  again, 
For  the  rare  privilege  of  not  being  born 
"  As  other  men." 

Blind  to  the  beauty  of  all  high  desire, 

Content  with  husks,  not  fruit,  he  clung  to  form, 
As  one  who  blows  white  ashes  of  the  fire, 
Saying,  "  I'm  warm." 


f 


i 


With  eyes  that  sought  the  ground,  and  inly  burned 

With  that  dry  sorrow  which  is  keenest  pain  ; 
Longing  for  tears,  if  but  "  the  clouds  returned 
After  the  rain ;" 

Crushed  by  the  one  large,  deadly  sense  of  sin, 

Fearing  to  look  toward  the  holy  place, 
Lest  he  should  find  nor  cleft  to  shelter  in, 
Nor  smile  of  grace, 

Came  the  poor  sinner  to  the  place  of  prayer  ; 
Not  with  the  voice  of  some  exulting  psalm, 
But  with  dim,  tremulous  hope,  which  scarcely  dare 
Expect  its  balm. 

The  homeless,  flying  from  the  furious  blast, 
Heeds  not  the  passer-by,  although  a  king ; 
So  filled  with  grief,  the  scorn  upon  him  cast 
Had  lost  its  sting-. 


I 


f 


:?**-- 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


125 


No  pomp  of  words  the  lab'ring  silence  broke ; 

Mutely  the  eye  besought,  the  lips  implored ; 
Then,  passionate,  the  heart  leaped  forth  and  spoke, 
"  Have  mercy,  Lord  !  " 

And  could  no  more  ;    for  then  a  storm  arose, 

Sweeping  through  all  the  chambers  of  the  mind, 
As  when  through  northern  forests  shrieks  and  blows 
The  wintry  wind. 


I 


And  He,  the  highest,  sat  in  heaven  and  heard 

The  voice  of  both.     For  upward  to  his  throne 
There  rise  alike  the  ostentatious  word 
And  under-tone 

Spoken  in  murmurs.      Whether  vaunted  loud, 

Or  held,  like  some  shy  secret  in  the  mind, 
He  answers  each — the  contrite  and  the  proud- 
After  their  kind. 

To  some — like  Caiapkas  and  Herod — naught ; 

To  some,  the  smoke  and  whirlwind,  as  to  Cain ; 
To  some,  the  whisper,  which,  inbreathed  to  thought, 
Can  soothe  its  pain. 

"  Who  ask  not  have  not."     Why  should  men  repine 

That  He  is  jealous,  and  will  reign  alone  ? 
Xor  suffer  us  to  rear  an  idol-shrine 

Beside  His  own  ? 


V 


136 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Who  bows  to  self,  of  God  hath  small  regard. 

His  pride  he  "worships — let  his  pride  befriend  ; 
And  "  seen  of  men,"  of  men  he  reaps  reward 
Until  the  end. 

But  when  the  sinners  pour  their  anguished  prayer, 
All  heaven  is  hushed  while  God  himself  imparts, 
And  "  gathers  up  the  fragments,"  to  repair 
Their  broken  hearts. 


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SABBATH   CHIMES.  137 

Trimttj. 

XII. 

As  the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem,  so  the  Lord  is  round  about 
his  people  from  henceforth  even  for  ever. — Psaxm  cxxv,  2. 

j^tf CIRCLED  as  by  angel  bands, 

What  should  the  chosen  people  fear  ? 
While  ever  "  round  about "  them  stands, 
Through  tempest  shocks,  in  desert  drear, 
The  Lord  their  God,  with  gracious  hands 
Uplift  to  bless  and  cheer. 


1 


The  mountains  round  Jerusalem 
Their  ceaseless  vigil  ne'er  forget ; 

Yonder  the  hills  of  Moab  gem 
The  north  with  pink  and  violet ; 

Here,  rich  with  many  a  stately  stem, 

The  Olive-mount  is  set. 


The  city  sleeps  within  the  guard 

Thrown  o'er  her,  as  a  sevenfold  shield ; 
And  such  the  loving  watch  and  ward 

Which  God  hath  on  his  children  sealed ; 
An  amulet — whose  spell  hath  barred 

All  perils  earth  can  yield. 
15 


^^s^^^^^^^ 


128 


SABBATH   CHI  JIBS. 


Whether  afar  they  wander  wide. 

Or  nightly  on  his  breast  have  leaned, 
No  distance  from  his  love  can  hide 

The  souls  that  boundless  love  hath  screened 
Safe,  if  they  in  his  arms  abide. 

From  traitor  or  from  fiend. 


Though  we  inconstant  are.  and  frail, 
Our  weakness  he  doth  not  upbraid ; 

But  through  the  midnight  hears  the  wail 
From  frenzied  hearts  in  anguish  made ; 

And  sendeth  songs  upon  the  gale 

To  warble  through  the  glade. 


For  earth  hath  ne'er  so  lone  a  spot 
But  litanies  can  freight  the  air ; 

The  bosky  woodland's  secret  grot 
Can  charter  an  imploring  prayer ; 

And  e'en  where  trace  of  man  is  not. 

God  bnildeth  ternples  there. 


Go  where  the  arctic  rigors  freeze 
The  hardy  life-blood  in  the  veins ; 

Or  tempt  the  ire  of  treach'rous  seas ; 
Or  cross  sirocco-haunted  plains  ; 

In  heat,  or  frost,  or  storm,  or  breeze. 

The  Lord  our  God  remains. 


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SABBATH   CHI2IES. 

O,  can  he  murmur  who  can  pray, 
And  with  a  present  God  commune  ? 

Who  carols,  on  his  guarded  way, 
The  cadence  of  some  heavenly  tune  ? 

And  knows  that  into  fadeless  day 

He  will  be  lifted  soon  ? 

Those  eyes  on  which  no  slumbers  steal 
Their  tenderness  of  watching  bring  ; 

And  we  the  brilliant  shadows  feel, 
The  shadows  of  his  shelt'ring  wing ; 

While  angels  hover  round,  to  seal 

The  children  of  the  King. 

"  Henceforth  for  ever  ?  "     O  to  lie, 
Like  the  beloved,  on  Jesus'  breast ! 

See  in  the  storm  the  Lord  pass  by, 
And  meet  him  on  the  billow's  crest ! 

Then  cheerful  'neath  the  purple  sky 

Depart,  with  him  to  rest. 


139 


y&U  -^^^^ 


140 


SABBATH    CBIMEi. 


* 


Tnniti), 

XIII. 


Ther joy  before  thee  according  to  the  joy  in  harvest.— Isaiah  ix,  3. 

ij-HAT  time,  in  twilight  hour,  the  wains. 
Rich  with  their  freight  of  golden  gains, 
i  Move  homeward  through  the  fragrant  lanes, 

:r*  - 

:h  the  crisp  autumnal  skies. 
The  harvest-carols  love  to  rise  : 
While  day  in  gorgeous  simsets  dies. 

Then  industry  and  homely  pride 
Sit  on  the  heaith-stone.  satisfied. 
In  the  calm  thought  of  need  supplied 

Then  olden  hopes  enkindled  long. 

To  make  men  e'en  through  winter  strong. 

Die  in  delight,  as  swans  in  song. 

Then,  not  doled  out  for  niggard  need. 

The  riches  all  the  toils  exceed, 

The  yield  is  wealthier  than  the  seed. 

Then  burns  a  pure,  unselfish  joy  ; 
Pure  as  the  faith  of  gen'rous  boy. 
Which  the  false  years  will  soon  destroy : 


. 


SABBATH    CHIME  &  141 

A  joy  without  or  stint  or  guile, 

As  the  glad  sun's  impartial  smile  ■£ 

Which  lights  dark  vault  and  minster  aisle. 

Every  one's  joy — a  holy  thing, 
Which  touches  all — the  sceptered  king 
And  peasant — lord  of  crust  and  spring. 

And  thus — the  prophet's  lips  reveal — 
With  no  distempered  pulses,  feel 
Who  at  Christ's  altar  rev'rent  kneel. 

They  throb  with  joy  of  need  supplied; 
The  rock  in  which  they  haste  t'  abide, 


Doth  still  the  healing  fountain  hide. 


|  The  angel-hands  are  bid  prepare 


Bread  for  the  hungry,  "and  to  spare  :" 
The  richest  robe,  the  daintiest  fare. 


E'en  at  the  glimpse  of  Saviour  s  torm 
Their  fears  are  fled — though  wont  to  swarm 
Like  omens  of  a  constant  storm. 


Xo  selfish  murmurs  spoil  the  feast. 

Love  reigns.     He  who  hath  loved  the  least, 

Dry  as  ungen'rous  sands  of  east. 

Whose  lip  in  cold  disdain  had  curled. 
Whose  heart  by  greed  and  self  was  churled, 
Would  tain  arise  and  feed  the  world. 


f 

f 


14-2  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

They  joy  "  before  Thee."     If  thy  light 
Beam  not  upon  the  wand'ring  sight 
The  rapture  is  not  perfect  quite. 

The  aimless  glances  rove  and  stray 
As  some  fair  child's,  whose  frolic  play 
Is  spoiled  if  father  is  away. 

'Tis  Thine  to  tune  each  loving  chord, 
Thou  giv'st  "  the  joy  of  harvest  " — Lord ! 
Father !  at  once  beloved,  adored  ! 

Fulfill  the  longing  thou  hast  given. 
Darkly  from  former  Edens  driven, 
Give  us  thyself — that  gift  is  heaven. 


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SABBATH  CHIMES.  14$ 


Trinity 


XIV. 

To  the  intent  that  now  unto  the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly 
places  might  be  known  by  the  Church  the  manifold  wisdom  of  God. — 
Ephesians  iii,  10. 

'-  WfflRfcrSHE  eldest-born  of  God  rejoiced 
%  W/fr       When  light  from  cleaving  darkness  sprang, 
jf£$£l  And  choirs  of  angels,  myriad-voiced, 
^  \  Exulting  woke,  and  sang. 


Endowed  with  subtler  sense  than  we, 

They  saw  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
Flash  from  fair  earth  and  silver  sea ; 

And,  seeing,  each  adored. 


i 

1 


Like  minstrels  whom  their  theme  absorbs, 

Till  reckless  who  may  bend  to  hear ; 
So,  filled  with  song,  those  stately  orbs 

Asked  for  no  heark'ning  ear, 


In  fullness  of  the  later  time, 

On  favored  Bethlehem's  pastured  plain, 
The  wakeful  shepherds  caught  the  chime 
Of  heavenly  hosts  again. 


^^^^^^^^^^ 


•  (fy 


144 


8 ABB AT K  CHIMES. 


Drawn  from  their  thrones  by  high  desire 

The  love  of  God  in  Christ  to  scan, 
Compassion  swept  each  seraph-lyre 

To  breathe  "  good-will  to  man." 

And  list'ning  worlds,  from  angel  lips, 

Heard  strains  of  "rapturous  amaze," 
And  felt  each  new  apocalypse 

More  prodigal  of  praise. 


3k 


But  now,  just  as  a  noble  boy 

Beneath  some  spell  of  language  thrown, 
Is  wild  to  reproduce  the  joy 

Of  each  remembered  tone, 

The  Church  below,  in  that  strange  lore 

Which  contrite  hearts  are  apt  to  learn, 
Provokes  the  angels  to  adore, 

As  she  responds  in  turn. 


I 


I 


Earth  sings  to  heaven.      Ye  radiant  powers 

Who  track  the  "  wisdom  "  of  the  King ! 
Exalt  your  highest  praise  by  ours, 

Who  quiver  while  we  sing  ! 

Where  battling  tempests  shake  the  skies, 

They  melt  to  depths  of  softest  blue. 
From  crushed  herbs  sweetest  odors  rise 
Kissed  by  the  pitying  dew. 


^^^-^^^S^^^^ 


SABBATH    0 HIME S. 


145 


O  how  could  angels  e'er  express 

The  harp-song  of  one  human  breast  ? 
They  never  felt  our  weariness ; 

Thev  cannot  sing;  our  rest. 


Hence  silent  are  the  heavenly  choir, 

While  men  shout,  "  Greater  to  redeem  ;  " 
One  wail  from  rebel  heart  is  higher 

Than  chant  of  cherubim. 

They  sing — all-holy  in  their  ranks — 
Of  perfect  work  in  perfect  strain  ; 
We,  wealthier,  stammer  forth  our  thanks 
For  canceled  curse  and  pain. 

Twice,  downward,  from  the  loving  sky, 

Their  joyous  bursts  of  praise  are  known  ; 
Twice,  upward,  our  poor  minstrelsy 

Swells  to  the  sapphire  throne. 

In  theirs  we  join.      Our  hymn  of  grace 

Baffles  each  angel  skill  to  reach ; 
The  loftiest  paean  of  the  place 

Is  woven  from  human  speech. 
16 


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-■- 


14-6  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

XV. 

Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow. — Matthew  vi.  88. 
I  will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel ;   he  shall  grow  as  the  lillv. 
— IIosea  sir,  5. 

JpH]  LOSE  sheltered  in  some  fragrant  nook 
rV  ~%     Beside  the  wanton  river. 

,-.'  Or  bending  o'er  the  caroling  brook 
"Whose  love-song  ceaseth  never, 
The  trembling  lily  seeks  to  hide 
Her  first  faint  blush  of  maiden  pride. 

She  wraps  herself  in  emerald  dress. 

From  each  rude  gazer's  viewing. 
Xor  dreams  her  bashful  loveliness 

Inflames  the  zephyr's  wooing ; 
Till,  each  fair  coronal  impearled, 
She  bares  her  beautv  to  the  world. 


Not  in  the  bold  and  gay  parterre. 

'Mid  queenlier  flowers  flaunting : 
She  loves  to  smile  in  silence,  where 

Such  smiles  are  sorely  wanting. 
To  reign  in  some  far  woodland  court, 
TThere  bird  and  brook  hold  summer  sport 


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SABBATH    CHIMES.  ^9 

Not  thankless  for  the  sun  and  shower, 

Her  saintly  life  she  liveth ; 
The  pure  heart  of  her  stainless  flower 

In  gratitude  she  giveth: 
Heedful  of  heaven,  but  loving,  too, 
The  dear  moss-bank  on  which  she  grew. 


Tis  thus  they  live  !  these  emblems  sweet 
Of  hearts  God's  love  hath  sainted, 

"Which,  sheltered  in  their  blest  retreat, 
Keep  Eden's  bloom  untainted ; 

For  "  as  the  lily  "  they  shall  grow 

By  the  still  waters'  ordered  flow. 


At  Jesus'  feet  unseen,  unheard, 

Each  lowly  one  down  lieth, 
And  feeds  on  that  ambrosial  Word 

Which  every  need  supplieth  ; 
Till,  ripe  for  the  awaiting  hour, 
They  stand — God's  priests  of  love  and  power. 


Making  life  gay  with  happy  psalms, 
They  work  amid  then-  praying, 

On  darkened  homes,  in  angel  alms, 
Fresh  light  from  heaven  outraying ; 

Till  eyes  grow  bright,  and  prayer  ascends 

For  blessings  on  the  lost  one's  friends. 


^a^^s^-^^^^ 


ISO  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Thus,  while  alike  to  heaven  and  earth 
They  willing  service  render, 

Each  hour  some  fairer  charm  hath  birth  ; 
Till,  as  in  sunset  splendor. 

In  all  their  pearl-white  beauty  stored. 

They  grace  the  garden  of  the  Lord. 


_ 


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A'.l  BBA  TB    CHIMES. 


151       "a 


XVI. 

Ho  came  and  touched  the  bier :  and  they  that  bare  him  stood  still. 
And  he  said,  Young  man,  I  say  unto  thee.  Arise.  And  he  that  was 
dead  sat  up,  and  began  to  speak.  And  he  delivered  him  to  his  mother. 
— Luke  vii,  14, 15. 

vjpgORTH  through  the  solemn  street 
,%»£*  The  sad  procession  swept, 

no|  Pacing  its  mournful  way  with  measured  feet ; 
While  inly  wept 


§ 


One  mourner,  in  a  grief 

Stern  as  the  silent  years. 
Which  seemed  to  mock  the  common,  weak  relief 
Of  outward  tears. 

Keen  was  her  sense  of  loss, 
An  agony  untold ; 
For  Death  had  seized,  amid  a  world  of  dross, 
Her  piece  of  gold. 


They  bore  her  only  son ; 

Star  of  her  evening,  fled  ; 
Whose  lesser  light  recalled  that  vanished  one 
Now  Ions  since  dead. 


152 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


For  her  best  loved  had  died ; 

And,  stunned  from  former  bruise, 
The  widow's  joyous  oil  of  life  had  dried 
Within  her  cruse. 

Desert  her  heart,  and  bare ; 

Like  lone  house  on  a  wild  ; 
No  voice  to  make  blithe  music  on  the  stair, 
No  laughing  child. 


"  He  came  and  touched  the  bier." 
They  wait,  in  curious  pause  : 
Has  He  the  power  and  will  to  interfere 
With  Nature's  laws  ? 


No  solace  from  the  past, 

No  hope  in  days  to  come, 
She  cowered  as  if  sorrow's  second  blast 
Had  struck  her  dumb. 


But,  near  the  city's  verge, 
A  sudden  silence  came  ; 
The  hired  mourners  swift  forbore  their  dirge, 
As  if  in  shame 

To  mourn  a  lifeless  clod 

With  such  despairing  cry, 
While  the  Redeemer — "  the  strong  Son  of  God 
Was  passing  by. 


■■Mf^M^- 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

He  walked  upon  the  waves ! 

His  word  the  thousands  fed  ! 
Is  he  imperial  in  the  plale  of  graves 
Over  the  dead  ? 

Then  spake  the  royal  word  ; 

And,  quick  with  rushing  throes, 
The  red  life  in  the  clay  obedient  heard  ; 
The  dead  arose  ! 

And  spoke — -just  as  before — 
Unconscious  of  eclipse; 
Like  babe,  who  only  knows  that  night  is  o'er 
From  mother's  lips. 

Or  one  who,  free  from  harm, 
From  the  perfidious  sea 
Comes  home,  and  finds  all  in  his  father's  farm 
Which  used  to  be. 

No  desert  dream  of  tombs, 

Naught  but  life's  love  and  joy  ; 
As  Nature  has  no  thought,  'mid  summer  blooms, 
That  storms  destroy. 

The  same  through  endless  time, 
Thus  Jesus  healeth  now : 
With  "  many  crowns,"  for  victories  sublime, 
Upon  his  brow. 
17 


151 


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1 


idfe* 


154- 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Conq'ror  in  each  stern  fight 

O'er  mortal  sin  and  dread ; 
And  mighty,  from  corruption's  foulest  night, 
To  raise  the  dead. 


I 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


155 


Trimttj* 

XVII. 

This  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting  those  things  which  arc  behind,  and  reaching 
forth  unto  those  things  which  are  before. — Philippians  iii,  13. 

*f  HAKE  from  the  soul  its  sloth  ! 

These  are  not  times  Christ's  service  to  refuse. 

Heir  of  two  worlds !  for  both 
Thy  spirit's  manhood  nobly  brace  and  use ; 
Till  glisten,  on  earth's  clouds,  thy  bright  life's  covenant- 
hues. 


Oft  memory  has  embalmed 
The  recollections  of  what  used  to  be ; 

Until,  like  ships  becalmed, 
We  slumber  on  the  dead  past's  waveless  sea ; 
Nor  from  that  sluggish  dream  e'er  struggle  to  be  free. 

O  for  the  constant  mind 
All  meaner  things  to  use  and  to  control ! 

Till,  like  some  faithful  hind, 
Who  serves  his  lord  for  love,  and  not  for  dole  ! 
Earth  is  but  vassal  to  the  heaven-aspiring  soul. 

This  only  thing  to  do, 
Nor  waste  our  spendthrift  power  on  many  plans. 

A  steadfast  heart*  and  true 
Inheriteth  all  favor, — God's  and  man's  ;— 
Weds  earth  to  heaven ;  and  angels  smile  upon  the  bans. 


156 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


As,  when  the  storm  hath  blown, 
What  time  for  rain  the  sultry  woodlands  parched, 

Bends  lovingly  the  zone 

Of  many  colors  in  one  rainbow  arched ; 

So  to  one  goal  we  bend  each  footstep  of  our  march. 


Or,  as  the  wild  bees  roam 
Through  the  rose-gardens  and  the  woodbine  bowers, 

Bringing  one  essence  home 
From  their  sweet  rifling  of  a  thousand  flowers ; 
So  may  we  hoard  for  heaven  our  heritage  of  hours. 

Why  should  we  linger  o'er 
Each  ancient  pleasure,  each  familiar  bond  ? 

Or  all  the  golden  store 
Of  childhood's  witching  spells,  or  raptures  fond  ? 
They  cling  to  these  who  have  no  better  home  beyond. 


We  are  not  children  now. 
Past  is  that  season,  credulously  gay ; 

And  manhood's  sterner  vow 
Impels  us  to  the  field  of  mortal  fray, 
And  woe  to  those  who  blench,  or  coward  turn  away  ! 


I 


We  may  but  pass  the  night 
On  the  gained  summit,  'mid  the  sheltering  snow; 

Forth  starting  with  the  light, 
Still  upward  to  the  higher  crest  to  go  ; 
Yearning,  in  present  good,  the  glorious  lest  to  know. 


I^^^M-^^^-^e^Hs^^^MH*^ 


SABBATH    CHIJIES. 


157 


We  may  not  stay  to  quaff 
The  cups  of  welcome  where  the  loved  ones  greet, 

But  grasp  the  palmer-staff, 
And  strap  the  sandals  on  the  hurrying  feet, 
Lest,  in  the  amber  morn  we  fail  our  Lord  to  meet. 


r 


"  Forgetting  all  behind." 
O  to  press  forward  where  the  glories  wait ! 

JSTor  e'er  our  loins  unbind 

Till  we  are  safe  within  the  lifted  gate, 

Amid  the  crowned,  and  in  their  kindred  joy  elate  ! 


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■^^^^.^^^k^^^^M 


SABBATH  GRIMES. 

Trimttj. 

XVIII. 

Jesus,  seeing  their  faith,  said  unto  the  sick  of  the  palsy,  Son,  be  cf 
good  cheer,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee. — Matthew  ix,  2. 

r^HO  will  doubt  that  wishful  mother 

Loves  beyond  all  bribe  or  hire, 
i  Though  she  gives  some  answer  other 
Than  her  fretful  child's  desire  ? 
Strongest  love  is  farthest  sighted, 
Sees  the  sun  beyond  the  cloud, 
By  a  richer  radiance  lighted, 
With  a  subtler  sense  endowed. 

More  than  all  our  poor  petitions 

Oft  our  Saviour  loves  to  grant, 
But  on  heavenlier  conditions 

Than  our  earth-bound  longings  want. 
We  lament  o'er  strange  denials ; 

Idle  words  of  fruitless  prayer  ; 
Beaded  in  the  golden  vials, 

Christ  has  made  them  fragrant  there. 

We  in  present  sorrow  languish, 
Gaze  on  heaven  with  eyelids  dim, 

Ask  relief  from  mortal  anguish, 
Paining  nerves  or  palsied  limb  ; 


w^^^^^^^^^k 


1 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


159 


But  the  Christ-eyes  smile  benignly, 
Seeing  deeper  needs  within, 

And  the  Christ-lips  speak  divinely, 
Whisp'ring  of  forgiven  sin. 

Healing  this  the  deadlier  cancer, 

Speaking  all  the  spirit  pure ; 
Were  not  here  a  nobler  answer 

Than  the  shriveled  flesh  to  cure  ? 
All  our  litanies  comprising, 

By  new  insight  understood, 
'Neath  a  seeming  frown  disguising, 

Brightest  smile  and  chiefest  good. 

Lord  !  with  humblest  joy  receiving 

All  thy  cleansing  word  can  do  ; 
Haply,  while  we  lie,  believing 

Thou  wilt  heal  the  palsy  too  ; 
Make  the  great  salvation  double, 

Pour  on  soul  and  flesh  the  balm, 
Loose  the  wailing  heart  from  trouble, 

Fit  it  for  the  victor's  palm. 

Teach  our  wayward  souls  reliance 

That  thy  will  is  always  best, 
Though  by  stern  and  strange  appliance 

Thou  dost  shape  us  for  our  rest. 
By  thy  grace  we  all  inherit 

Power  to  bear  the  cross  and  shame ; 
Firm  endurance  ;  martyr-spirit ; 

Singing  saintly  'mid  the  flame. 


1 


^r^^H^i 


160  SABBATH   CHIMES. 

When  amid  life's  broken  sleeping 

Troubled  visions  o'er  us  roll, 
And  there  break  out  floods  of  weeping 

From  the  "  great  deep  "  of  the  soul ; 
Let  our  faith,  in  thee  confiding, 

Trust  that  thou  wilt  heal  and  save ; 
Till,  contented  in  thy  guiding, 

We  shall  pass  the  conquered  grave. 


4 

I 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


161 


Trmittju 


XIX. 

"Why  stand  ye  here  all  the  day  Idle  ? — Matthew  xx,  6. 

<£  ^^^^WO  fields  for  toil — the  outer  and  the  inner, 
%  lijft  Both  overgrown  with  weeds ; 

^f§Pl  Who  to  the  labor  hastes,  to  be  the  winner 
%  Of  all  the  laborer's  meeds  ? 

To  bathe  in  radiant  mornings,  daily  spreading 
Over  the  heavens  anew ; 

To  sit  'neath  trees  of  life,  forever  shedding 
Their  bounteous  honey-dew. 

To  rouse  a  spirit,  formed  for  God,  from  slumber, 
And  robe  it  for  the  light ; 

The  heirs  of  heaven  from  clay  to  disencumber, 

Which  clogs  their  upward  flight. 

To  lift  a  world,  'neath  sin  and  sorrow  lying, 
And  "  pour  in  oil  and  wine ;" 

To  warble,  in  the  dulled  ears  of  the  dying, 
Refrains  of  hymns  divine. 

Work  for  a  lifetime,  in  each  path  up-springing, 

In  low  or  lofty  spheres  ! 
Hark  to  the  Master's  summons,  always  ringing 

In  quick  and  heedless  ears  ! 

18 


162  SABBATH  CHI ME S. 

Cool  brain,  strong  sinew,  heart  with  love  o'erflowing, 
Shall  all  in  sloth  escape  I 

Like  vine,  which,  fruitless  through  its  wanton  growing, 
Ne'er  purples  into  grape  ! 


The  daylight  wanes  and  dies — "Why  stand  ye  idle  ?'' 
Life  hasteth  to  its  bourne  ! 

The  bridegroom  tarries — will  ye  greet  the  bridal, 
Or  in  the  darkness  mourn  ? 

Lo  !  in  the  fields  the  yellow  harvest  drooping, 

As  lilies  in  the  rain ; 
Where  are  the  reapers,  that  they  come  not,  trooping, 

To  gather  in  the  grain  \ 


Some,  in  the  festive  hall  disporting  gaily; 

On  slothful  pillow,  some  ; 
Some,  in  delays  most  blameful,  and  yet  daily 

Exclaiming,  "Lo.  I  come." 


And  some,  infatuate,  'mid  the  alien's  scoffing. 

Quarrel  about  their  toil ; 
As  wreckers,  when  ships  founder  in  the  offing, 

Grow  murderous  over  spoil. 


Meanwhile  the  harvest  waiteth  for  the  reaping, 
God's  patience  hath  not  tired. 

Ye  cannot  say — extenuate  of  your  sleeping — 

"  We  wait,  for  none  hath  hired." 


Through  the  hushed  noon-tide  hour  the  Master  ealleth  ; 

Ye  cannot  choose  but  hear; 
Still  sounding  when  the  lengthning  shadow  falleth, 

"  Why  stand  ye  idle  here  :" 


Up  !  for  a  while  the  pitying  glory  lingers  ! 

"Work  while  it  yet  is  day  ! 
Then  rest  the  Sabbath  rest — where  angel-singers 

Make  melody  for  aye. 


1 
J 


^jfe—...^.^,  _._.«,._ 


16-4 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Tvtmty* 
xx. 

Lord,  if  thou  hadst  been  here,  my  brother  had  not  died. — Jonx  xi,  32. 

^MJJZ  E  cometh  not,  although  we  sent  him  tidings 

Soon  as  around  our  hearts  the  darkness  grew, 
"~~-~  He,  whom  till  now,  not  love,  though  prone  to 
chidings, 

Could  deem  untrue. 

"  Ah  me  ;  our  eyes  were  weary  with  their  straining, 

To  see  him  traversing  the  olived  slope ; 
Died,  one  by  one,  out  of  hearts  bruised  and  paining, 
Hope  after  hope. 

"And  through  the  leaden  hours  we  watched  him  fading, 

With  whom  the  sun  and  stars  went  from  the  day  ; 
Till,  spite  of  tears,  and  tenderest  upbraiding, 
He  slept  away. 

"  Now  this  poor  swept  home  does  but  mock  the  other, 
Where  the  kind  lightnings  played  from  side  to  side ; 
'  Ah,  Lord  ;  if  thou  hadst  but  been  here,  our  brother 
Would  not  have  died  ! ' '" 


>$^^^^^«$^ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


165 


I 


Strikes  on  the  ear  and  heart  that  Jesus  nears ; 
How  at  the  sound  each  wild  resentful  humor 
Dissolves  in  tears  ! 

He  comes  too  late  !  the  loved  one  hath  departed  ; 

The  covetous  grave  hath  opened  for  its  own  ; 
Loud  is  the  wailing  of  the  broken-hearted 
Above  the  stone. 

"  Take  ye  away  the  stone."     It  will  encumber 

The  living  in  his  passage  from  the  dead. 
The  sleeper  rose,  cast  off  his  desert  slumber, 
And  left  his  bed. 


Vain  is  the  tomb's  embrace,  the  spoiler's  malice, 

To  him  who  drank  himself  the  bitter  cup  ; 
He  speaks — the  life-wine  mantleth  in  the  chalice, 
And  brimmeth  up. 

"  Not  unto  death,  but  for  the  Father's  glory." 

Through  the  hushed  world  the  purpose  is  complete, 
For  they  who  mourned,  and  we  who  read  the  story, 
Bow  at  his  feet. 


Dear  human  Friend,  who  wept  before  his  praying, 

Such  tears  as  fall  from  our  own  weary  eyes  ! 
But  through  those  tears  there  shone  the  Godhead,  saying, 
"  Lazarus,  arise  !  " 


iiM^^^ 


#* 

§ 


• 


U66  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Restored  again  to  the  deep  joy  of  being. 
How  the  fond  heart  with  love  is  ne'er  suffic 

••  The  eye  is  "  never  "  satisfied  with  seeing'' 
The  face  of  Christ 

And  all  the  soul  bends  forth,  entranced,  to  listen 

AVhile  grace  and  truth  come  sparkling  in  each  word ; 
As  on  the  spray  the  morning  dewdrops  glisten 
For  bee  or  bird. 


What  wonder  Love's  sweet  incense  shed  around  him 

Her  wealth  of  spikenard — in  libation  poured  ! 
"What  wonder  Faith,  with  loyal  reverence,  crowned  him 
Her  God  and  Lord  '. 


He  loves  the  human  yet.  with  love  undying. 

And  stills  heaven's  music  while  he  leaves  his  throne, 
From  even*  charnel  where  our  love  is  lying 
To  roll  the  stone. 


SA  BBA  TIT    CHIMES. 


167 


Trinity 


XXI. 

Lord,  how  oft  shall  my  brother  sin  against  me,  and  I  forgive  him? 
until  seven  times? — Matthew  xviii,  21. 


^jTTH  large,  round  wonder  in  their  eyes, 
As  children  guess  their  onward  way, 
b  Awaking  to  some  new  surprise 

Of  thought  and  being,  day  by  day, 


So  the  meek  souls  at  Jesus'  feet 

Left  all  their  narrow  spheres  behind ; 

And  sat,  and  learned,  in  converse  sweet, 

Which  charmed,  the  while  it  cleared,  the  mind. 


I 


Already  many  a  film  has  gone 

Which  vailed  the  Heavenly  from  their  view 
And,  as  the  healing  power  works  on, 

The  man  looms  broader  than  the  Jew. 


"  How  often,  Lord,  dost  thou  require 

Forgiveness  to  transgressors  shown 
Till  seven  times  shall  the  coals  of  fire 
Upon  the  thankless  heart  be  thrown  ?  " 


i 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

Strong  was  the  soul,  and  firm  the  hand, 
Which  grasped  a  virtue  great  as  this, 

In  those  stern  times,  when  no  command 

Had  taught  that  love  was  strength  and  bliss. 


But  as  the  pilgrim,  wil'd'ring,  dwells 
And  lingers  o'er  some  purpled  scene, 

Where  sunlight  streams  through  bosky  dells, 
On  ivied  cliffs,  in  deep  ravine  ; 


Yet  feels  the  thoughts  enkindled  are, 
Like  wordless  music,  sweet  but  dim, — 

So  sweet,  they  bear  his  soul  afar, 

So  vague,  he  cannot  catch  the  hymn  ; — 

Thus  fear  and  joy,  when  Jesus  saith, 
';  Not  for  the  seventh,  but  endless  time," 

Blend  in  the  prayer,  "  Increase  our  faith 
To  scope  and  stature  so  sublime." 


). 


O  for  the  heaven-imparted  might 
The  true  God-likeness  to  express  ! 

The  man,  when  smitten,  turns  to  smite 
The  God,  offended,  bends  to  bless. 


1 


The  sun  shines,  though  is  rendered  back 
No  gratitude  of  flowers  and  balms  ; 

The  rain,  e'en  on  the  simoon-track, 
Can  find  some  lovely  isle  of  palms. 


^^^^^^.^^^^i^^u^^i 


iTfi^Q- 


w    ^ 


SABBATH   CHUTES. 

"  Seventy  times  seven" — wider  flow 

The  ripples  of  the  Gospel-wave, 
Till  it  embrace  thy  friend,  thy  foe, 

The  worst  thou  hast  this  side  the  grave. 

Though  he  be  thankless,  cruel,  cold ; 

By  long  pain  hardened  not  to  feel ; 
In  crime  all  prematurely  old ; 

A  viper,  stinging  mercy's  heel ; 

Though  fortune's  gifts  and  manhood's  crowns 
Into  the  dust  his  rage  hath  hurled ; 

Though  charity  hath  naught  but  frowns 
To  give  this  orphan  of  a  world ; 


169 


3 


1 


Yet  if  he  contrite  weep,  and  burn 

With  long  desire  to  be  forgiven, 
Thine  enemy  thou  shalt  not  spurn, 

Thou,  for  whom  Christ  hath  purchased  heaven. 


For  from  the  cross,  and  from  the  throne, 
Where  once  He  died,  where  now  he  lives, 

The  Saviour  whispers  to  his  own, 

"  Who  much  is  pardoned,  much  forgives." 
19 


170 


8  A  BBA  Til     CHIMES. 


XXII. 

Te  are  come  unto  Mount  Zion  .  .  .  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect. — Hebrews  xii,  22,  23. 

(fx  THERE  are  times  of  saddest  shrift 
For  these  poor  hearts  of  ours  ! 
When  weeping  for  some  vanished  gift, 
J^y**  v     Whose  loss  seemed  from  our  earth  to  lift 
The  sunshine  and  the  flowers  ; 

When  rustle  round  the  heart  dead  leaves 

From  olden  autumn  strown  : 
And  pensive  memory  sits  and  weaves 
Crowns  out  of  faded  flowers,  and  grieves 
.     Those  dear  ones — yonder  flown. 

Who  says  that  death  can  conquer  love  ? 

Thoughts  of  the  treasured  past 
Come  darkening  all  the  years  above  ; 
As,  with  the  olive  leaf,  the  dove 

Sped  homeward  through  the  blast. 

Each  fond  remembrance,  ling'ring  stays. 

Green  as  the  grass  on  graves  ; 
The  ancient  looks,  the  winsome  ways. 
The  wealth  of  love  more  sweet  than  praise ; 
These  memory  hides  and  saves. 


Sw*<fes^= 


f^^^fl^^^^^ 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 

Their  steps  arc  on  the  household  stair : 

We  are  not  all  bereft. 
They  sit  in  the  familiar  chair ; 
Echo  the  laugh,  and  swell  the  prayer, 

As  if  they  ne'er  had  left. 

Thus  fancy  tricks  the  grosser  sense, 

Not  loth  to  be  deceived : 
Thus  clings  the  love,  in  poor  pretense 
It  cannot  bid  the  vision  hence, 

Half  dreaded,  half  believed. 

But  they  are  not  beneath  the  sod 

Imprisoned,  hopeless,  dumb ; 
Awaking  to  the  smile  of  God, 
They  follow  where  the  Saviour  trod, 
And  have  uto  Zion"  come. 


171 


f 


With  all  the  choicest  company 

They,  our  beloved,  abide  ; 
Church  of  the  first-born — seraphs  high, 
Down-darting  from  the  upper  sky : 

Gathered  to  greet  the  Bride. 

if 
There  we  may  join  and  love  them  still, 

And  list  their  wondrous  tale, 
And  ramble  round  the  peopled  hill, 
And  with  twin  rapture  gaze  and  thrill ; 

For  O  !  how  thin  the  vail ! 


112 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Talk  not  of  death  !  in  covenant  one 

Still  heart  responds  to  heart ; 
And  though  for  them  the  strife  is  done, 
The  palm  is  waved,  the  battle  won, 

We  will  not — cannot — part. 

And  we — the  while  we  strive  and  pray 

'Gainst  mysteries  of  sin, 
And  don  Christ's  armor  as  we  may, 
And,  manful,  cleave  our  hindered  way 

Where  they  have  entered  in, 

Feel  each  loved  presence  by  our  side 

Our  strife  to  nerve  and  cheer ; 
While,  in  the  fiercest  fight  descried, 
He  speaks — the  Lord,  who  loved  and  died, 

They — J— await  you  here. 


^^^^^^M^^Hp^h  H*NH*^fil 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


113 


Trinity, 

XXIII. 

Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  which  hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers 
of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. — Colossiass  i,  12. 

->     S    '  XCOXSCIOUS  sowers,  scattering  seed, 
We  sow  for  harvests  of  a  future  reaping. 

O,  solemn  life  !  in  every  deed 
Yielding  some  secrets  for  the  Judge's  keeping, 
Which  years  will  reproduce 
For  sorrow  or  for  use. 


Close  are  the  subtle  links  which  bind 
This  life  to  that  to  which  its  fleeting  hasteth ; 

Our  nature  is  for  both  designed, 
And  each  fair  joy  th'  exulting  spirit  tasteth 
Is  from  that  God  who  fills 
The  rock's  wild  heart  with  rills. 


And  this  poor  world  is  full  of  joys 

When  light  immortal  rests  on  it  benignly, 

And  the  man's  heart  within  the  boy's 

Longs  for  those  glorious  morns,  which  break  divinely, 

And  turns  to  eastern  skies 

With  bliss  of  upward  eyes. 


& 


74 


SABBATH   CHIME*. 


But  who  shall  make  our  nature  meet 
For  such  great  heirship  ? — ours — who  hoard  the  treasure 

The  vain  world  flmgeth  at  our  feet. 
Or  woo,    neath  gay  festoons,  some  fickle  pleasure. 
Or,  with  obsequious  plumes 
Cover  the  prophets*  tombs  ? 


"lis  he.  the  Father,  whose  rich  love 
Hath  changed  the  heart,  to  new  desires  awaking. 

And  shaped  it  for  its  home  above  ; 
The  vagrant  dream  into  the  heavenly  breaking ; 
Till  all  the  sloth  and  sin 
Yield  to  his  discipline. 


The  Father  doth  not  trust  his  own — 
So  loved,  so  yearned  for — to  the  careless  stranger ; 

Xor  may  kind  angel  leave  his  throne, 
Who  feels  the  bliss,  but  has  not  felt  the  danger. 
The  Father's  chastening  mild 
Alone  can  win  the  child. 


It  may  be  that  the  strength  was  shorn. 
The  pride  of  manhood  humbled  prematurely  ; 

But  from  the  feebleness  was  born 
The  true  God-likeness  in  the  spirit  surely. 

Then  be  the  loud  heart  mute  ! 
Autumn  hath  richest  fruit. 


l^f^NH^^^^^^^H^^^H^  •■- 


6' A BBA  Til  C H I2IE S. 


175 


Haply,  the  timid  spirit  leant 
On  others,  as  a  staff, — those  wise  and  kind  ones, 

To  whom,  of  right,  the  rev'rence  went ; 
As  though,  so  led,  the  steps  could  ne'er  be  blind  onc^. 
The  staff  broke  ;  and,  o'erthrown, 
We  rose,  and  walked  alone. 

Our  heart,  like  summer-tendril,  clings 
To  earth,  replete  with  sacramental  graces  ; 

Death  breathes  upon  our  lovely  things ; 
The  friend,  the  child,  look  down  with  angel-faces ; 
Then  we  uplift  the  cry, 
"  Give  peace,  and  let  us  die." 


Thou  knowest  always  what  is  best, 
Our  souls,  down-lying  on  loved  earth,  to  gather ; 

Perfect  this  meetness  in  our  breast ; 
We  will  lie  still,  and  give  thee  thanks,  O  Father  ! 
Till,  with  the  ransomed  throng, 
Life  flowers  into  sonjj. 


■#*Mh$s**^Mh^^Jt 


>"-  176  SABBATH  0  HI  MB  8. 


t 


Trinity;. 


XXIV. 

Then  said  Jesus  unto  the  twelve,  "Will  ye  also  go  away  ?  Then  Simon  Peter 
answered  him.  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?  thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal 
life. — -Ions  vl   67.  63. 


0!  "  OME  faithless  hearts  have  fled : 

They  could  not  bear  the  pureness,  or  the  scorning, 

And  went  away,  as  from  among  the  dead 
Foul  things  of  darkness  go  when  breaketh  morning. 


"  And  will  ye  leave  me  too  ? 
On  whom  my  love  hath  lighted,  with  long  yearning 

Of  tenderest  grace  and  truth,  such  as  the  dew 
Hath  for  the  flowers  it  cools  'mid  tropic  burning  ? 

"  Ye,  whom  I  loved  to  teach, 
Familiar  things  for  heavenly  symbols  taking, 

Clothing  all  nature  with  diviner  speech  ; 
Will  ye  go,  like  the  world,  your  Lord  forsaking  ? " 

We  bow  'neath  Thy  rebuke. 
As  children,  grieved  at  some  kind  mother's  chiding. 
Who  see  her  love  come  flashing  through  her  look, 
As  suns  through  mist — more  welcome  for  the  hiding. 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 

Ah  !  whither  can  we  go  ? 
(Dismayed  and  startled,  as  by  sudden  thunder  ;) 

Who  but  thyself  can  "  life  eternal "  show  ? 
We  ask,  bewildered  in  our  grief  and  wonder. 


177 


I 


J 


We  must  some  refuge  find : 
The  human  cannot  waste  its  life  in  sighing, 
Nor  gaze  upon  the  sun  till  smitten  blind, 
Nor  ever  ask,  where  all  forbears  replying. 


Great  nature  hath  no  balms  ; 
O'erarching  skies  sound  forth  no  glad  evangel ; 

And  misereres  mingle  with  the  psalms 
The  tired  earth  singeth  to  her  pitying  angel. 


W. 


Denials  cannot  change 
That  dread  unknown  which  lies  beyond  our  seeing  ? 

God  hath  united ;  we  may  not  estrange 
This  dying  life  and  that  eternal  being. 

Death  comes — but  what  beyond  ? 
Some  Stygian  shore  ?  some  weird-like  rest  or  roaming  \ 

Or  is  it  home,  where  welcomes  warm  and  fond 
Glance  through  the  lattice,  and  light  up  the  gloaming 


' 


f 


O  life  !  eternal  life  ! 
Prize  of  the  bounding  spirit's  vast  ambition ; 

Hail  to  the  warrior's  doom  or  martyr's  strife, 
If  we  mav  hope  for  this  enrapturing  vision  ! 
20 


SW^ 


17  &  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

To  whom  shall  we  repair  ? 
Mute  are  the  oracles — the  olden  sages 

Mock  with  their  dumb  lips  our  imploring  prayer, 
Which,  answerless,  moans  downward  through  the  ages. 

No  light !  no  rest  below  ! 
Our  hearts  are  weary,  and  our  voices  falter  ; 

Ah  whither  shall  our  anguished  spirits  go  ? 
Lord !  be  thy  love  our  plea — thy  cross  our  altar  ! 


All,  all  we  want  are  thine  ! 
Greek  beauty,  Roman  rev'rence,  in  thee  blended, 

And  nature  glows  into  a  holy  shrine  ; 
And  form  is  spirit's  robe — and  doubt  is  ended. 


We  seek  no  other  rest ; 
But  as  the  swan  smoothes  down  her  ruffled  pinion 

In  the  wave-mirror  of  the  lakelet's  breast, 
We,  blest  and  calm,  repose  in  thy  dominion. 


% 
■ 


f 


The  truth  of  all  we  see 
Speaks  from  thy  lips — all  discords  reconciling  ; 

Jesus,  our  Lord  !  we  pray,  we  cling  to  thee, 
Stoop  from  thy  throne,  and  bless  us  with  thy  smilin< 

That  smile  were  present  heaven 
Let  down  upon  the  soul,  no  longer  lonely, 

All  darkness  banished  if  thyself  be  given  ; 
We  see,  need,  long  for  naught — save  "  Jesus  only." 


m 


T 


SABBATH    CHTUES.  179 

Trinity;. 
xxv. 


It  shall  come  to  pass,  that  he  that  is  left  in  Zion,  and  he  that  remain- 
eth  in  Jerusalem,  shall  be  called  holy,  even  everyone  that  is  written 
among  the  living  in  Jerusalem :  when  the  Lord  shall  have  washed 
away  the  filth  of  the  daughters  of  Zion,  and  shall  have  purged  the 
blood  of  Jerusalem  from  the  midst  thereof  by  the  spirit  of  judgment, 
and  by  the  spirit  of  burning. — Isaiah  iv,  3,  4. 


pfj'HILE  fast  the  darkling  year  decays, 
And  speed  our  hurrying  moments  on, 
~ -^  Shall  not  the  ancient  symbols  blaze, 
-    -     ,     In  blessing,  on  our  guarded  ways, 

Till  from  the  desert  gone  ? 


1 


f 


Or  must  we  rise  to  holy  deed, 

Ere  in  our  van  the  cloud  will  go 
Through  each  wild  waste  our  steps  to  lead  ' 
Or  ere  shall  shine,  for  nightly  need, 

The  mystic  pillar's  glow  ? 

Then,  Lord,  each  wishful  heart  prepare 
Thy  promised  presence  soon  to  win  ; 
Nor  e'en  thy  sharper  trials  spare  : 
"We  will  or  sword  or  burning  bear, 

So  we  be  purged  of  sin. 


180  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

'Twere  easy,  'mid  the  battle's  blast, 

To  front  the  foe  without  dismay, 

When  music  plays,  and  friends  stand  fast ; — 

But,  when  on  lonelier  warfare  cast, 

'Tis  harder  to  obey. 

To  pine  aloof,  'mid  victories  won — 

To  lose  the  guerdon,  dearly  prized — 
The  work,  we  longed  to  compass,  done, 
Accomplished  by  some  meaner  one 

Whose  aid  our  strength  despised- 


m 


To  be  content  in  hermit  cells, 

Nor  murmur  in  our  helpless  thrall, 
While  from  the  warrior  bosom  swells 
The  pride  in  which  all  valor  dwells, 

And  sounds  the  bugle-call — 


To  work,  like  lightnings  on  the  dark, 

And  leave  no  trace,  nor  memory  long, 
No  friend  to  bid  the  world  to  hark 
Its  newest  teacher  ;  none  to  mark, 

Or  set  our  names  in  song- 

To  sit  while  stealthy  slander  tears, 

As  children  rags,  our  good  repute, 
Until  we  breathe  in  poisoned  airs, 
And  know  no  healing,  save  in  prayers, 

Yet  be  sublimely  mute — 


*** 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


181 


To  feel  that  all  our  cherished  joys, 

And  luxuries  of  happy  tears. 
Are  gone,  like  a  forgotten  voice, 
Or  like  an  inftint's  broken  toys, 

Wrecks  of  the  golden  years — 

Ay.  these  are  heights  of  faith  and  hope 

To  which  but  few  have  strength  to  climb 
And  those  who  earthward  delve  and  grope 
Are  faint  of  heart  and  limb  to  cope 

"With  such  a  toil  sublime. 


O  for  the  power  these  heights  to  scale, 

These  Xebos  of  the  prophet's  fate. 
Where  airs  from  heaven  are  on  the  gale, 
And  from  the  crest,  without  a  vail. 

We  see  the  jasper  gate  ! 

For  this,  until  the  haggard  morn. 

We  wrestle  in  unequal  strife  ; 
And  when  with  our  long  labor  worn. 
In  Peniel-strength  we  h  lift  the  horn," 

Like  athletes,  crowned  for  life- 


it 


For  this — all  welcome  pain  and  loss, 

If  through  their  pangs  Thy  presence  came  ! 
Be  ours  the  baptism  of  the  cross  ! 
If  else  Ave  may  not  lose  the  dross, 

Enkindle  Thou  the  flame ! 


— ,; 


182 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


\ 


But  that  the  tire  ma}-  surely  burn 

All  sordid,  sensual  thought  away. 
Lord  !  by  the  furnace  watch,  and  yearn, 
Till  from  the  silver's  heart  return 

Thine  image,  bright  as  day. 

O  teach  us  lowly  to  remain, 

Without  one  murmur  at  thy  feet ; 
Nor  of  the  heaviest  cross  complain, 
Till  thou  each  docile  spirit  train 

Into  thy  will  complete  ! 


MH& 


. 


S  ABB  AT  H    C  H  IMF  & 


181 


'i'riiiitij. 

XXVI. 


And  he  brought  him  to  JeEus. — John  i.  42. 

>*  HI..  sjsHERE  is  a  love  defies  the  years 

To  loose  its  clasp,  or  quench  its  fire  : 
\  love  which  peril  more  endears. 
Like  flames  which  blaze  in  tempests  higher. 

A  love  which  bears  its  steadfast  part 
The  readiest  when  "tis  needed  most. 

And  shows  alike  its  brother-heart 

"Mid  sneers  of  blame  and  smiles  of  boast. 


And  when  one  soul,  of  truth  in  quest. 

S<mie  glorious  Alpine  reach  hath  won. 
And  knows  the  other,  yet  unblest. 

Toils  through  the  dark  to  greet  the  sun. — 

His  brother  first  he  hastes  t'  invite, 

To  join  him  on  the  sunny  slope, 
TThence  burst  upon  the  wond'ring  sight 

Majestic  views  of  faith  and  hope. 

The  links  that  bound  the  generous  boys. 

AVho  leaped  the  brook,  or  roamed  the  field. 
Are  welded  by  the  manlier  joys 

Of  doubt  dispersed,  and  truth  revealed. 


MH*h 


1$4-  SABBATH    CHIMES. 

Tis  ever  thus.  Who  Jesus  finds 
Must  all  abroad  the  tidings  speak. 

Not  for  the  hoard  of  miser  minds 

The  heaven-light  spreads  from  peak  to  peak. 


The  power  which  strikes  from  charger's  hoof; 

The  might  of  the  resplendent  main  ; 
The  regal  thought  which  dwells  aloof 

In  some  imperial  poet's  brain ; 


The  burnish  of  the  argentine  ; 

The  scent  which  sleeps  in  folded  lid ; 
Not  for  themselves  their  grand  design  : 

Where  power  is  lodged,  there  use  is  hid. 


t 


Each  spendthrift  moment  swells  th'  amount 
Of  power  abused  or  run  to  waste ; 

And  each  augments  the  vast  account 
To  which  the  circling  seasons  haste. 

O,  wherefore  in  disdainful  sloth 

Fold  we  our  arms,  while  at  our  door 

He  stands  unknown  to  whom  our  troth 
Of  fealty  and  \ove  we  swore  ? 


The  breathless  world  awaits  the  sign ; 

Its  heart  is  sick — it  beats  so  strong ; 
Shall  we,  who  know  the  Lord,  combine 

To  cheat  its  hope — its  pain  prolong  ? 


*$«^4^^^s&= 


-j^^^^^HK^ 


SABBATH    CHI2IES. 

As  well  our  trait'rous  hands  were  lift, 
Like  Cain's,  on  murder's  purpose  bent, 

To  each — to  all — we  bear  the  gift : 
Heirs  of  a  better  testament. 


If,  in  some  holiday  of  grace, 

We  went  to  this  new  Rabbi's  home, 

And  found,  within  that  lowly  place, 
A  wisdom  strange  to  loftier  dome  ; 

There  yet  is  room.     The  heart  of  Christ 
Will  no  poor  heart  of  man  contemn ; 

And  He,  who  all  our  need  sufficed, 
Is  all  they  need  to  comfort  them. 


! 


^^^^^^^^^^ 


IB  6 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Trimttj* 


XXVII. 

Thou  shalt  rememoer  all  the  way  which  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  led 
thee. — Deuteronomy  viii,  2. 


ilF^HE  year  has  -wrought  its  mystic  rede, 
Its  hours  have  passed  with  fleetest  speed, 
-I  Its  thought  hath  ripened  into  deed. 


Its  marvel  and  its  mystery  o'er, 
Its  promise  grand  of  gift  or  store 
Flushes  the  fevered  cheek  no  more. 

It  held  along  its  restless  course, 
As  o'er  the  plain  some  fiery  horse, 
Without  repose,  without  remorse. 


Reckless  if  weal  or  woe  betide, 

If  ban  or  boon  be  scattered  wide ; 

Though  some  have  lived,  and  some  have  died. 

Though  some,  beneath  the  pitying  moon, 
Have  struggled,  paled,  and  fallen  soon ; 
Some  blazed  through  twilight  into  noon. 


SABBATH  CHIMES.  187 

And  it  has  died  at  last ;  though  mirth 
Ushered  it  to  the  expecting  earth. 
And  bells  rang  at  its  joyous  birth. 


On,  swift  and  stern  the  purpose  runs, 
The  year,  with  all  its  pomp  of  suns, 
Is  urned  amid  the  olden  ones. 


But,  ere  its  solemn  funeral, 
It  let  its  mantle-memory  fall, 
In  last  bequeathment,  on  us  all. 

The  memories  of  its  various  times 
Dwell  in  the  tranceful  ear,  like  chimes, 
Or  music  of  some  old-world  rhymes. 


These  memories — distinct,  deep-lined- 
Light  up  each  traveled  path  behind, 
Like  fitful  fire-lights,  to  the  mind. 


To  some  they  cling  like  curse  of  Cain, 
Down  pressing,  on  the  burdened  brain, 
Some  torturing  thought  of  giant  pain. 


% 


To  others,  like  a  falling  star, 

They  bring  glad  tidings,  rich  and  far, 

From  worlds  where  light  and  beauty  are. 


— '^o    =•■=;.■=.■  =  ..^-V;-=~VW,  -„-  = 


IBS  SABBATH   C RIME S. 

Mutely  the  thronging  visions  pass  ; 
Old  joys,  old  griefs,  in  mingling  mass, 
Vivid,  minute,  as  in  a  glass. 


A 


Each  peril,  once  so  darkly  feared, 

Each  omen,  sinister  and  weird, 

Each  fonder  home-thought,  twice  endeared. 


t 


No  single  feature  softened  down, 
Each  joy  its  smile  has,  and  its  crown, 
Each  grief  its  old  orig'nal  frown. 

It  cannot  be  that  life  shall  end 

In  the  dark  grave  o'er  which  we  bend 

When  memory  hath  no  death  for  friend. 

And  as  we  muse,  the  truths  beneath 
Flash  forth  as  from  an  inner  sheath  ; 
The  lessons  which  all  years  bequeath  ; 


I 


1 


That,  'mid  the  tumult  and  unrest, 
Thick  mists  upon  the  mountain's  breast, 
God's  sun  is  glad  ujjon  the  crest. 

That  wrong  is  but  the  slave  of  right, 
And  soon  the  day  shall  burst  in  sight, 
And  earth  be  steeped  in  heaven-light. 


H4^*^^^^^^^^^^^^-^^^; 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


139 


ISaMxath    gaming:* 

h  (IS     WEET  is  the  sunlight  after  rain, 

And  sweet  the  sleep  which  follows  pain, 
And  sweetly  steals  the  Sabbath  rest 
/    Upon  the  world's  work- wearied  breast. 


Of  heaven  the  sign — of  earth  the  calm  ! 
The  poor  man's  birthright  and  his  balm ! 
God's  witness  of  celestial  things  ! 
A  sun  "  with  healing  in  its  wings." 

New  rising  in  this  Gospel  time, 
And  in  its  sevenfold  light  sublime  ; 
Blest  day  of  God  !  we  hail  the  dawn, 
To  gratitude  and  worship  drawn. 

Through  the  hot  world,  from  week  to  week, 
'Twere  vain  the  soul's  repose  to  seek ; 
But  on  the  Sabbath's  restful  air 
Is  Nature's  voiceless  call  to  prayer. 


O'er  all  the  quiet  landscape  spreads 
A  hush,  like  that  which  evening  sheds 
When  sounds  are  still,  and  flowers  are  furled. 
And  shadows  wrap  the  slumb'ring  world. 


Hfc 


190 


S  ABB ATE     CHIME  S. 

As  birds  which,  scared  by  sound  of  wars, 
Fly  up  to  nest  among  the  stars, 
But  come  to  their  familiar  tree 
When  earth  to  list  their  song  is  free ; 


So  holy  thoughts  will  flee  the  breast 
By  travail  of  the  week  oppressed, 
But  when  the  psalms  of  Sabbath  rise 
Will  hasten  downward  from  the  skies. 

But  e'en  the  Sabbath  charms  to  cheat, 
Unless  the  answering  soul  is  meet, 
No  rest  the  hallowed  hours  impart, 
Save  onlv  to  the  hallowed  heart. 


Whether  our  faith  in  temples  pleads, 
Or  love  is  bent  on  duteous  deeds ; 
Or  lingering  sickness  gasps  and  pines 
For  meekest  trust  in  God's  designs ; 


Or  erring  steps  are  kindly  borne 
From  scenes  of  shame  or  seats  of  scorn; 
Whene'er  we  come  with  covenant  new, 
O  Saviour !  teach  us  to  be  true. 

O,  naught  of  gloom  and  naught  of  pride 
Should  with  the  sacred  hours  abide ; 
At  work  for  God — in  loved  employ 
We  lose  the  duty  in  the  joy. 


'  ^ 


SABBATH    CRIMES. 

Breathe  on  us,  Lord  !  our  sins  forgive, 
And  make  us  strong  in  faith  to  live ; 
Our  utmost,  sorest  need  supply, 
And  make  us  strong:  in  faith  to  die. 


191 


^m 


f 


i 


i 


1 


l^^^^f^^^^^^^^^^^^^-^H^^ 


19i 


SAB  J]  A  TIT   CHIME* 


I 


Satxbatlx    Et'Bmng* 


. XOTHER  Sabbath  sun  is  down, 


Gray  twilight  creeps  o'er  thorp  and  town ; 
How  much  of  sorrow,  unconfessed, 


"  UK        Lies  hidden  in  yon  dark'ning  West 


"What  burdens  uncomplaining  borne, 
What  masks  o'er  latent  anguish  worn, 
What  pangs  of  heart-break,  plots  of  sin, 
Have  this  night's  shadows  folded  in ! 


We  woke  to-day  with  anthems  sweet 
To  sing  before  the  mercy-seat, 
And  ere  the  darkness  round  us  fell 
We  bade  the  grateful  vespers  swell. 

Whatever  has  risen  from  heart  sincere, 
Each  upward  glance  of  filial  fear, 
Each  litany  devoutly  prayed, 
Each  gift  upon  thine  altar  laid, 

Each  tear  regretful  of  the  past, 
Each  longing  o'er  the  future  cast, 
Each  brave  resolve,  each  spoken  vow, 
Jesus,  our  Lord  !  accept  them  now. 


:: 


22 


>5 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Whate'er  beneath  thy  searching  eyes 
Has  wrought  to  spoil  our  sacrifice ; 
Aught  of  presumption,  over  bold, 
The  dross  we  vainly  brought  for  gold ; 


195 


f 

I 
3 


If  we  have  knelt  at  alien  shrine, 
Or  insincerely  bowed  at  thine, 
Or  basely  offered  "  blind  and  lame," 
Or  blushed  beneath  unholy  shame  ; 

Or — craven  prophets — turned  to  flee 
When  duty  bade  us  speak  for  thee  ; 
'Mid  this  sweet  stillness,  while  we  bow, 
Jesus,  our  Lord,  forgive  us  now  ! 

O  let  each  following  Sabbath  yield 
For  our  loved  work  an  ampler  field, 
A  sturdier  hatred  of  the  wrong, 
A  stronger  purpose  to  grow  strong  : 

And  teach  us  erring  souls  to  win, 
And  "  hide  "  their  "  multitude  of  sin ;  " 
To  tread  in  Christ's  long-suff 'ring  way, 
And  grow  more  like  him  day  by  day. 


t 
I 


So  as  our  Sabbaths  hasten  past, 
And  rounding  years  bring  nigh  the  last ; 
When  sinks  the  sun  behind  the  hill, 
When  all  the  "  weary  wheels  "  stand  still ; 


i^^^4^ 


196  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

When  by  our  bed  the  loved  ones  weep, 
And  death-dews  o'er  the  forehead  creep, 
And  vain  is  help  or  hope  from  men ; 
Jesus,  our  Lord,  receive  us  then ! 


- 


1 

I 


M&=& 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


197 


§ 


'fl 


glmstmas  Batf* 


Suddenly  there  was  with  the  angel  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host, 
praising  God,  and  saying,  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace, 
and  good- will  toward  men. — Luke  ii,  13, 14. 


cS  ^  UDDEN,"  as  if  there  could  not  be  repressed 
•ju^sv   The  hidden  rapture  of  the  heaven  longer, 
^^jL    The  song  burst  forth  ;  like  a  soul-burden,  stronger 
^7  By  dint  of  constant  hiding  in  the  breast. 


And  as  that  revelry  of  praise  increased, 

And  o'er  the  heedful,  silent  plain  resounded  ; 
O,  how  the  rapt  hearts  of  the  watchers  bounded, 

Nor  knew,  entranced,  when  the  loved  music  ceased  ! 


J 


Never  before  did  heavenly  minstrels  note 

Earth's  answer  with  theirs  blending,  like  a  minor  ; 
And  still  those  strains,  than  all  our  strains  diviner, 

On  through  the  world  and  down  the  ages  float. 


The  charter  of  our  freedom,  ne'er  reversed ! 

The  glorious  feast  to  which  our  God  hath  bidden ! 

The  pledge  and  earnest  of  a  goodlier  Eden 
Than  ever  Adam  tilled,  or  Satan  cursed ! 


v-^^-v -;-•:  —  - 


193  SABBATH  CHI2IES. 

Ears  deaf  to  other  anthems  hark  to  this, 

And  long  that  each  blest  cadence  ne'er  may  alter ; 
'Tis  the  bowed  earth's  involuntary  psalter, 

Her  perfect  utterance  of  perfect  bliss. 

"  Glory  to  God  !  "  for  that  sublime  descent, 

Which  showed  the  greater  Godhead  in  the  stooping 
Homeward  to  lead  poor  exiles,  faintly  drooping 

In  sad  remorse  and  desert  discontent ! 

% 

■ 

"  Glory  to  God !"  'mong  angel  thrones  and  ranks, 

For  the  unutterable  joy  of  raising 

Sinners  to  seraphs,  endless  in  their  praising ; 
Stirred  by  the  voiceless  heart,  whose  throbs  are  thanks  ! 

« 

"  And  peace  on  earth  !"     The  strain  hath  gentler  airs, 
Which  strike  upon  each  ruffled  chord  of  feeling, 
As  sunlight  on  a  saintly  maiden,  kneeling 

With  hushed  face,  by  a  sick  bed,  at  her  prayers. 


$* 


"  Peace  on  the  earth  !"     We  listen,  and  grow  calm, 
When  doubt  has  darkened,  or  when  pain  convulses ; 
E'en  the  wild  leaps  of  passion's  fever-pulses 

Are  still  as  childhood's,  'neath  the  healing  balm. 


"  Good-will  to  men  " — if  but  their  souls  respond. 

fMen  whose  calm  brows  are  ever  lifted  sunward, 
Who  are  by  heavenly  voices  guided  onward 
To  where  God  lives,  of  homes  and  hearts  the  bond. 

- 


^^H^^^^^^^^^^^^^- 


fe. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

"  Good-will  to  men,"  of  every  speech  or  clirne. 

The  advent  one — the  kindness  universal ! 

The  world  is  summoned  to  the  glad  rehearsal ! 
Learner  of  harper's  skill  and  minstrel's  chime  ! 


199 


O,  sorcery  rare  !  oft  have  its  'trancing  spells, 

More  potent  when  the  storm-clouds  gathered  denser. 
Breathed  fragrance  on  the  air — as  in  the  censer 

The  "  linked  sweetness  "  of  all  flowers  dwells. 


Father  in  heaven  !  we  bless  thee  for  the  song ! 
It  melts  into  our  hearts,  and  makes  them  warmer 
It  stirs  us  to  put  on  the  warrior's  armor, 

And  in  thy  name  do  battle  with  the  wrong. 


Father  in  heaven  !  we  bless  thee  for  the  Child  ! 
For  in  him  thou  hast  blest  with  endless  blessing 
No  reach  of  good — no  gift  beyond  our  guessing, 

Is  lacking  now,  with  Jesus  reconciled. 

And  all  the  human  joy  these  seasons  know 
Is  but  a  solemn  act  of  recognition — 
A  silent  homage,  paid  to  that  blest  vision, 

Of  Him  ; — the  Lord  in  heaven — the  Child  below. 


J. 


'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


SABBATH   CHIME 8. 


gkraxl  Frixlatj. 


When  they  were  come  to  the  place  that  is  called  Calvary,  there  they 

crucified  him. — Luke  xxiii,  33. 
Thus  it  is  writteu,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer.— Luke  xxiv,  46. 


#*%        CLOSE  the  book,  and  seal  the  seal, 


And  let  the  vail  drop  over  all ; 
u*  Would  that  oblivion  could  conceal 
^/[^       What  memory  shudders  to  recall ! 


j\s 


f 


'Twas  here,  on  this  accursed  hill, 

"  Without  the  gate,"  the  deed  was  done, 

Which  made  the  vexed  earth's  heart  to  thrill, 
And  darkened  th'  indignant  sun. 


Here  rose  the  taunts  of  cruel  scorn, 
Here  hung;  the  felons  by  His  side ; 

Less  vile  than  they  who  wove  the  thorn, 
And  reared  the  cross  on  which  He  died. 

Well  might  the  night  o'erspread  the  day, 

As  darkness  ruled  e'er  time  began, 
When  He,  whom  heavenly  hosts  obey, 
"  Was  made  a  curse  "  for  sinful  man. 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


201 


i 


"  Was  made  a  curse  ;  "  but  never  yet 
Did  curse  such  fruit  of  blessing  bear ; 
For  all  our  sin,  and  doom,  and  debt, 
By  costliest  price  were  canceled  there. 

Hence,  more  than  other,  Calvary's  slopes 
Invite  the  pilgrim-feet  to  stray, 

As  some  fair  shrine,  where  buried  hopes 
Love  has  embalmed  to  cheat  decay. 


The  full  heart  here,  all  shrines  above, 
Its  wealthier  adoration  pours  ; 

In  sight  of  that  all-suffering  love, 
The  eyes  may  weep,  the  faith  adores. 

'Tis  not  the  life,  divinely  jmre, 
And  even  more  divinely  kind : 

'Tis  not  the  power  all  ills  to  cure, 
Nor  flash  earth's  beauty  on  the  blind : 


'Tis  not  that  loaves  to  banquets  grew 
Whene'er  He  willed  the  thousands  fed : 

Nor,  at  His  word,  that  life  anew 

Quickened  the  swathed  or  buried  dead 


'Tis  not  His  teaching,  though  He  spake 
The  wisest  words  to  human  thought ; 

Words,  which  the  proud  ones  oft  mistake, 

But  sweetly  to  the  child-heart  taught : 

23 


SOS 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


Life,  healing,  teaching !  in  all  these 
Some  purpose  and  some  lesson  lie ; 

But  faith  the  deeper  mystery  sees, 

"  That  it  behoved  "  the  "  Christ  to  die." 

To  die,  not  in  oblation  vain, 
The  seal  to  all  his  words  to  give  ; 

Not  in  the  martyr's  scorn  of  pain  ; 
To  die  that  all  the  world  might  live  ! 

O  for  the  heart  this  truth  to  learn, 
Erewhile  too  darkly  understood  ! 

We  for  the  living  Saviour  yearn  ; 
Our  trust  is  in  the  sprinkled  blood  1 

And  while  by  faith  we  humbly  cling 

To  Christ  the  crucified  alone, 
Each  to  his  cross  our  sins  would  bring, 

Eager  to  crucify  our  own. 


m 


$&*&& 


^^^^^^^^^^«^^#^N 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


1 


^scewsim*  Baij, 


And  he  led  them  out  as  far  as  to  Bethany,  and  he  lifted  up  his  hands  and 
blessed  them.  And  it  came  to  pass  while  ho  blessed  them,  he  was 
parted  from  them,  and  carried  up  into  heaven. — Luke  xxiv,  50,  51. 


i 


^E  led  them  forth,"  as  oft  before, 
Along  the  dear,  familiar  way ; 
But  on  that  long-remembered  day 
K4J  js    The  road  seemed  shorter  than  of  yore. 

Before  the  lightning  leaps  to  kill 

Dread  hush  comes  o'er  the  swooning  air; 

And  so,  oppressed  by  nameless  care, 
Each  felt  as  if  his  heart  stood  still, 

Smitten  with  sense  of  fear  or  pain ; 

Yet  all  unconscious  whence  it  sprang, 

And  mindful  only  of  a  pang 
As  if  its  fibers  cleft  in  twain. 


J' 
J 

f 


"He  led  them  forth,"  and  sweetly  loth 
To  lose  one  human  memory  here, 
His  home  of  love,  his  haunt  of  fear, 

The  road  to  triumph  neared  them  both. 


\ 


204  SABBATH   GHI3IES. 

"  He  led  them  forth,"  where  many  a  shrine 
Of  tender  truth  their  hearts  had  piled, 
And  many  a  mood  and  hour  beguiled 

With  affluent  talk  on  things  divine. 

And  love  had  lingered  there  so  long 

That  all  around  seemed  charm  and  token ; 
So  there  its  last  word  must  be  spoken, 

Or  it  would  grieve  with  sense  of  wrong. 


And  where  but  from  the  "house  of  woe" 
Could  loftiest  songs  of  triumph  rise  ? 
Do  not  our  own  sad  Bethanies 

Distill  the  subtlest  joys  we  know? 


Unvail  the  heavenly  worlds  afar  ? 

Till,  purged  and  strong,  the  upward  faith 
Can  hear  what  each  crowned  harper  saith, 

And  worship  where  the  angels  are  ? 


And  now  upon  the  mount  He  stands, 
With  heaven  already  on  his  brow  ; 
Who  dares  to  doubt  his  Godhead  now  ? 

And  blesses  them  with  lifted  hands. 

"  He  blessed  them  " — this  the  great  design 
For  which  incarnate  God  came  down, 
To  weave,  of  mortal  thorns,  the  crown ; 

To  turn  earth's  water  into  wine. 


T 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 

His  life  was  blessing.     When  He  spoke 

The  tempest  slept,  the  winds  were  balm, 
Demoniacs  hushed  in  kindest  calm, 

The  iron  bands  in  sunder  broke, 


SOS 


The  famine  fled  from  hollow  eyes, 

The  desert  dreams  of  death  were  past, 
The  four  days'  dead,  though  charneled  fast, 

Awoke  to  life  with  sweet  surprise. 


And  now,  while  the  cloud-chariots  wait, 
And  angel-guards  to  tend  Him  throng, 
'Mid  radiant  host  and  seraph  song, 

He  pauses,  e'en  at  heaven's  gate, 

To  shed  his  latest  blessing  round : 

And  while  their  swelling  hearts  yet  leap 
And  quiver  'neath  its  music  deep, 

A  rush  of  wings — and  He  is  crowned  ! 


Not  flushed  with  conqueror's  selfish  pride, 
But  calm  and  kingly,  He  ascends ; 
His  last  thought  here  is  for  his  friends, 

His  first  in  heaven,  their  fears  to  chide, 


i 


For  as  they  awe-struck  wait,  and  dumb, 
The  white-robed  heralds  whisper  low, 
"  Why  stand  ye  gazing  upward  so  ? 

A  second  time  your  Lord  shall  come." 


p^^ 


206 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


I 


Beyond  dark  clouds  and  jasper  walls 
We,  blinded,  cannot  see  the  track, 
We  may  not  wish  the  prophet  back, 

Nor  gaze  until  his  mantle  falls. 


4# 


We  fain  would  with  our  Lord  ascend ; 
But  we  are  frail.     O  Saviour !  keep, 
And  witness,  ere  we  fall  on  sleep, 

"  Who  loves  us,  loveth  to  the  end." 


I 


7&J&~$g=J*&& 


SABBATH    CHIMES. 


Baptism. 


^GWFS^r^RING-  all  your  new-born  joys, 


The  rapture  which  you  almost  fear  to  feel, 
X^^l  A-n&  m  one  cov'nant  anthem  give  them  voice, 
J=^  The  while  you  lowly  kneel. 


Pay  unto  Heaven  your  vows  ! 
Come  laden  richlier  than  with  turtle  doves  ! 
Offer  your  fairest — offer  in  God's  house 

The  children  of  your  loves  ! 


207 


,   •  ; 


I 

J 
1 


I 
t 


Not  passed  through  Moloch-fire ; 
Not  as  the  sacrificial  firstling,  slain ; 
But  rendered,  as  the  music  from  the  lyre, 

*     For  praise  and  not  for  bane. 


I 


I 


With  swell  of  inward  song, 
And  the  heart's  wrestling  litanies  of  prayer, 
Give  them  to  Him  to  whom  yourselves  belong ; 
Commit  them  to  His  care. 

Bring  them  in  robes  of  white — 
Robes  of  the  penitent — the  dead — the  blest  ; 
The  inner  grace,  which  shineth  through  the  rite, 
Will  dower  them  of  the  best. 


-¥M 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Not,  as  by  sorcerer's  charm, 
To  rise  renewed  from  the  baptismal  flood, 
But  given  to  Christ,  to  feel  his  circling  arm 
Enfoldeth  every  good. 

'Twill  not  be  all  in  vain, 
If  faith  abideth  by  the  sacred  ark ; 
But  on  the  child,  e'en  in  the  holy  fane, 

ATill  Jesus  set  Ms  mark. 


Seal  of  the  cov'nant  new, 
While  the  bright  chrism  yet  rests  upon  the  face, 
As  on  the  flow'rets  rest  the  morning  dew — 
Token  of  future  grace. 

Yes !  bring  the  children  soon  ! 
Christ  will  not  utter  one  reproachful  word, 
But  "  suffer  them"  that  they  may  take  the  boon 
By  royal  hands  conferred. 

An  angel  guard  to  fence 
The  young  soul  from  its  early  perils  round  ! 
And  waft  the  slumber  from  the  droning  sense 
Upon  enchanted  ground. 

Supply  of  daily  strength 
Awaiting  use,  amid  earth's  burd'ning  cares  ; 
Help  springing  out  of  trouble  ;  and,  at  length, 
Answers  to  vialed  prayers. 


H^NH##^?^         ^^N^^^^M^- 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Until  all-dedicate, 
Their  willing  souls  from  evil  forces  freed, 
The  blessing  falleth  on  the  heart  and  state, 


209 


And  they  are  Christ's  indeed  ! 


t 


*«? 


Then  ye  who  frankly  give, 
And  they,  the  tender  nurslings  of  your  love, 
Linked  by  one  bond  eternally,  shall  live 
One  family  above. 


| 


24 


^m 


210 


SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Tbs    Lard's    Suppm\ 

This  do  in  remembrance  of  Me. — Luke  xxii.  19. 

Ye  do  show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come. — 1  Coeln-thians  xi,  26. 

f  7EAR  pledge  of  love  divinely  true, 
The  rainbow  of  the  cov'nant  new, 
Symbol  of  peace,  'mid  sacred  strife, 
Spanning  the  stormy  heaven  of  life. 

How  the  blest  bond  each  spirit  brings 
From  common  cares  to  holy  things ; 
And  bids  both  hope  and  mem'ry  wake 
In  loving  watch,  for  Jesus*  sake  ! 

If  nations,  in  their  grateful  praise, 
Columns  to  wise  or  valiant  raise ; 
If  some  tall  mound,  or  guarded  tree, 
Hallow  the  shrines  of  liberty  ; 


Lf  relics  of  dear  days  gone  by 

Are  hoarded  from  rude  gazers  eye. 

And  cherished  with  extremest  care. 

And  linked  with  life,  and  blessed  by  prayer ; 


that  Christ  hath  wrought 


Be  this  our  sign 
Triumph  for  us,  transcending  thought ; 
Be  this  our  gauge !  that  Christ  doth  bear 
Deep  love  for  us,  beyond  compare. 


SABBATH  CHIMES.  211 


Like  those  old  songs  we  ne'er  forget, 
So  rise  and  fall  the  accents  yet. 
"  I  go  to  leave  you.     Ye  are  mine. 
Come,  eat  the  bread,  and  drink  the  wine. 


"  Take  at  my  hands  this  latest  boon, 
Ye  will  a  tend'rer  memory  soon ; 
And  when  my  face  no  more  ye  see 
By  this — my  blood — remember  me," 

Sounds,  'plaining  still  that  dear  bequest, 
Of  Christian  faith  the  badge  and  test ; 
Last  message  to  the  Church  below. 
"My  death  until  my  coming  show." 

Link — to  assure  our  hearts — the  twain, 
Future  of  worship — past  of  pain, 
Session  of  judgment — blast  of  scorn, 
That,  crown  of  glory — this,  of  thorn. 

And  as.  sometimes,  when  words  would  fail, 

The  kindling  eye  takes  up  the  tale, 

And  speaks  in  light,  though  not  in  sound, 


Its  prophecy  to  all  around ; 

So  let  this  living  symbol  teach 
More  eloquent  than  human  speech, 
The  Saviour  died.     Our  sins  he  bore. 
The  Saviour  lives,  "  to  die  no  more." 


SIS  SABBATH  CHIMES. 

Here  while  we  wait,  in  rey  Tent  fear, 
Longing,  yet  trembling,  to  draw  near, 
"Waiting  for  some  celestial  sign, 
Some  warrant  from  the  lips  Diyine ; 

O  breathe  the  life  into  the  bread ! 
And  let  our  hungTing  hearts  be  fed  ! 
The  power  into  the  cup  inspire, 
To  slake  our  soul-thirst  of  desire  ! 

Let  us  the  mount  of  yision  scale, 
And  pier;e  the  skies,  and  pass  the  yail, 
And  hear  th'  adoring  harpers'  tone, 
And  see  "  the  rainbow  round  the  throne." 

Then  turn  from  these  blest  sights  away, 
To  work  and  win  as  conqu'rors  may, 
Thy  brayer  witnesses  to  be, 
Constraining  men — and  worthy  Thee. 


';tf 


i' 


f^ 


' 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


21b 


i^atrimtmtj* 


^  S  voyagers  on  a  lake, 


Beyond  some  wooded  knoll  or  headland 
glancing, 

-  '  L.  ■>>'       Through  the  wild  shimmer  of  the  sun- 
light dancing 
O'er  heathery  hill  and  brake  ; 

The  while  with  joy  they  thrill, 
Are  longing  to  intensify  the  feeling, 
And  sure  each  glowing  change,  o'er  landscajDe  stealing, 

Will  show  scenes  lovelier  still ; 

So,  on  life's  changeful  sea, 
Now  calm,  now  storm-swept,  hearts  which  sail  together. 
Can  find  their  bliss  in  clear  or  low'ring  weather, 

Yet  long  still  more  to  see ; 

And  join  their  vent'rous  hands 
Together  the  dark  future  to  unravel ; 
Deeming  the  twain  are  stronger  for  the  travel 

Into  mvsterious  lands. 


I 


SUS  SABBATH    CRIMES. 

0,  sacred  wedded  love ! 
To-day  come  trooping  friends  with  kindly  token, 
Breathing  heart-blessings  which  lips  leave  unspoken. 

But  which  are  heard  above. 


Heaven  wafts  her  gentlest  airs. 
Is  ew  radiance  lights  all  ordinary  places, 
And  all  the  features  of  familiar  faces 

Grow  bright — as  if  with  prayers. 


A  blessing  on  the  bond  ! 
The  sacred  link  of  those  already  plighted, 
Not  for  this  wasting  world  alone  united, 

But  for  the  vast  beyond. 


On  this  remembered  morn, 
When  hope  and  memory,  in  a  solemn  meeting, 
Give  to  each  other  holy  tryst  and  greeting, 

Be  a  blest  future  born ! 


h 


While  in  th'  mutual  troth 
Each  guileless  heart  in  surest  trust  reposes ; 
May  faith  entwine,  of  her  fair  heavenly  roses, 

Life-coronets  for  both. 

The  flowers  along  th'  aisle 
Be  of  life's  path  the  ever-blooming  symbol ; 
And  the  life-music — more  than  clang  of  cymbal — 

Kind  voice  and  sunny  smile. 


~\.--.~  -.«;«.-_ 


SABBATH   CHIMES. 


a3r^*^?-«£,o  M 


211 


Rapture  without  regret ! 
A  fire  with  love  for  its  perennial  fuel ; 
The  chrysolite  of  life ;  a  costly  jewel 

In  a  home-casket  set. 

A  blessing  on  the  twain 
Made  one  to-day  in  new  communion  mystic ! 
May  fragrant  clouds,  in  baptism  eucharistic, 

Bless  each  with  gracious  rain  I 

And  the  kind  sun  for  aye 
Shine  on  the  home,  sweet  light  of  Heaven  providing, 
The  home  where  dwelleth  Christ — therein  abiding 

As  in  each  heart  to-day  ! 
25 


i 


■^ 


218  SABBATH  CHIMES. 


Burial  xxf  tlxs  Bead. 

ERCHANCE  we  watched  around  the  bed 
The  fading  of  each  nameless  grace, 
The  life-light  ebbing  from  the  face, 
Until  the  last  slow  wave  had  sped, 
And  left  us  gazing  on  the  cold,  unanswering  dead. 

The  dead !  what  wonder  in  the  word ! 

From  thought  and  feeling  strangely  mute ; 

No  music  in  the  broken  lute 
To  be  by  man  or  nature  stirred  ; 
Heedless  of  streamlet's  voice,  or  lay  of  household  bird. 


The  cypress  is  their  only  wreath  ; 

Arid  grief  above  them  gasps  and  sobs  ; 

You  would  not  think  what  rebel  throbs, — 
As  if  a  sword  should  chafe  its  sheath, — 
Shook  their  wild  hearts  a  week  since.     Now  they 

sleep  beneath. 


1 


We  pass  below  the  somber  yews, 

Which  all  the  greening  barrows  guard ; 
And  tread  the  still  and  rank  church-yard, — 
That  lone,  stern  path  which  none  refuse  ; 
While  all  the  world  seems  draped  in  solemn  funeral 
hues. 


-#^N^ 


SABBATH    CHIM£S. 


219 


They  rest ; — but  we,  the  living,  pour 

Our  soul-rain  on  their  opened  graves  ; 
Such  small  relief  our  nature  craves. 

They  knew  our  heart's  true  love  before ; 
Haply — not  all  unconscious — now  they  know  it  more. 

And  we  to  them  give  juster  praise  : 

As  those  who,  upward,  from  a  mine, 
See  through  the  fainter  daylight  shine 

Some  steadfast  star's  unquenching  blaze, 
We  see,  through  the  dark  tomb,  their  white  and 
blameless  rays. 

"Ashes  to  ashes.    Dust  to  dust." 
Of  all  our  love,  is  this  the  end  ? 
Is  nothing  left  us  of  our  friend 
But  treasured  page,  or  marble  bust, 
And  leal  life-memories  of  inviolate  truth  and  trust  ? 

To  sense  no  more.     But  faith  can  bid 
The  shadows  from  the  soul  uplift, 
And  own  again  the  vanished  gift, 
Spite  of  the  lying  coffin-lid. 
Only  in  trance  of  pause,  our  loved  are  from  us  hid. 

Cast  on  the  wave] ess  lake  your  eye. 
And  in  the  mirror  of  its  breast, 
The  cots — the  pines — the  snowy  crest — 

All  in  the  depths  reflected  lie ; 
And.  stretched  in  azure  arch,  serene  and  broad  the  sky 


^^^^^^f^^^^^^^^^f^^^^^^^^ 


' 


SABBATH    CHIME S. 


So  Faith,  when  weeping  over  torn 
B     -  Easter-symbols  in  the  clod. 
Hills  which  go  climbing  up  to  God. 
A  fragrant  wealth  of  heavenly  blooms, 
And  far  beyond,  the  glory  of  the  golden  domes. 

Sorrow  may  not  become  despair  ; 

For  Christ  hath  in  the  chamel  lain 
T    ~um  its  sore  disgrace  to  gain. 
He  will  both  grave  and  crown  prepare  ; 
Who  shed  a  Saviour's  blood  will  show  a  Saviour's  care. 


«^^s^=^  . 


INDEX  OF  EIEST  LINES. 


f 

I 


I 


Page 

Another  Sabbath  sun  is  down 192 

As  on  some  queenly  forehead  shines  a  rare  and  costly  gem.  ...     37 

As  swiftly  flies  the  startled  dove 76 

As  travelers  o'er  some  darksome  waste 82 

As  voyagers  on  a  lake 215 

Bring  all  your  new-born  joys   207 

By  trifles,  in  our  common  ways 15 

Closer  to  Christ  the  loved  ones  grew 88 

Close  sheltered  in  some  fragrant  nook 14G 

Down  the  dark  vale  of  time  full  many  a  glance 18 

Dear  pledge  of  love  divinely  true 210 

Encircled  as  by  angel  bands 137 

Faith  speaks,  while  sense  is  dumb  and  sad 115 

Father !  from  all  things  marred  and  base 94 

Fiercely  on  Salem's  towers  and  hills 5G 

Fierce  through  the  land  the  invader  sweeps GO 

Forth  through  the  solemn  street 151 

Glad  welcomes  float  around 130 

Great  are  thy  works,  0  God !  and  sought 63 


&>&&*!ie&&^ 


£ 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 

Page 

Hand  in  hand  through  all  our  ways 118 

He  cometh  not,  although  we  sent  him  tidings 164 

"  He  led  them  forth,"  as  oft  before 203 

Lord,  wilt  thou  now  the  throne  restore  ? 85 

O'er  Gennesaret,  mountain-bordered 40 

0  close  the  book,  and  seal  the  seal 200 

0  there  are  times  of  saddest  shrift 170 

O  speak  not  thus  to  hearts  all  palpitating 22 

O  wherefore  should  those  hands  of  love  73 

O  who  can  tell  of  the  sower's  cares 4G 

Perchance  we  watched  around  the  bed 218 

Koom  for  the  last  and  largest  grace 49 

Shake  from  the  soul  its  sloth  ! 155 

Some  faithless  hearts  have  fled 176 

Speak  not  of  trifles  light  as  air 28 

Stately  on  Shinar's  ancient  plain 91 

"  Sudden,"  as  if  there  could  not  be  repressed 197 

Sweet  is  the  sunlight  after  rain 189 

The  furrows  are  straightly  drawn 34 

The  hour  is  come !  'tis  thus  He  wakes 66 

The  eldest-born  of  God  rejoiced 143 

The  restful  look  which  angels  wear 43 

The  year  has  wrought  its  mystic  rede 186 

There  are  who  say  the  world  is  drear 104 

There  are  would  earth  and  heaven  divorce 109 

There  is  a  love  defies  the  years 183 

There's  winter  on  the  hills  to-day 53 

They  cast  him  forth,  fierce  in  their  rage  and  hate 25 

'Tis  early  morn,  Come,  cross  the  brook 70 

Two  fields  for  toil — the  outer  and  the  inner ....  161 


LU*=  ^^^^^5^? 


INDEX   OF  FIRST  LINES. 


223 


Page 

Unconscious  sowers,  scattering  seed 173 

Upon  the  temple's  glittering  floors 100 

What  is  it  that  He  saith  ? 79 

What  time,  in  twilight  hour,  the  wains 140 

When  art  has  grasped  some  graceful  dream 121 

Where  is  the  rest  we  long  to  gain  ? 30 

While  fast  the  darkling  year  decays 179 

Who  will  doubt  that  wishful  mother. .  .    158 

Who  would  not  learn  a  lore  like  this 112 

With  brow  upraised,  as  one  who  sees  his  peers 133 

With  large  round  wonder  in  their  eyes 167 

With  lightnings  belted,  cloud  and  tempests  broke 11 

With  sightless  eyes  and  silver  hair 1 24 


I 


f 

I 


r*7 


